Lifeboat duo lose job plea over mugs

TWO lifeboatmen sacked in a row over pornographic images on mugs lost their battle to be reinstated yesterday.

The RNLI confirmed that Joe Winspear, 26, and Ben Laws, 36, had been thrown out for ‘inappropriate behaviour’.

Mr Laws later blamed ‘a witch hunt’ and Mr Winspear said he was ‘heartbroken’. The mugs showing women with the crew’s heads superimposed on them were bought as jokey Christmas gifts but were found by a female boss.

An RNLI spokesman said: ‘Following a fair and robust investigation and appeal process, we have upheld our decision to stand down two crew members from Whitby RNLI.

‘In this case, no new evidence was presented to us and we stand by our original decision.

‘Like any emergency service, the RNLI sets high standards and expects all its volunteers and staff to set an example, not just in terms of their maritime expertise but also in their behaviour and respect for others.’