RNLI members sacked over raunchy mug ‘disappointed’ after losing appeal

TWO SACKED Whitby RNLI crew members have expressed their disappointment after their appeals were unsuccessful.

There was a national outcry after Ben Laws and Joe Winspear were stood down from their roles with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in May in a dispute over mugs displaying a raunchy image.

The pair have now expressed their thoughts on Facebook.

Speaking for the first time since the news broke, bank worker and former trainee crew member Joe has accused the charity of wasting thousands of pounds on the investigation.

He expressed his thanks for everyone who has supported them and said it “is a heartbreaking decision as all we have ever wanted to do was to save lives at sea.

“The mugs were a lighthearted joke between the crew of which no one of the crew was offended”.

He described the news that his appeal has been unsuccessful as “devastating”, adding: “Anybody that knows me will know that I am lifeboat through and through and today’s news is devastating.”

Crewman of 15 years Ben Laws also took to Facebook, and posted: “I’m sad to say goodbye to the RNLI today, it’s been a great 15 years, I’ve met and served with some awesome lads and lasses and their wives, girlfriends, (and) families.”

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