A recruitment firm owner has been accused of orchestrating a “doxxing” campaign targeting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and anti-racism activists. Tom Watson, from Worcester, is alleged to run an X account named “Big Time Charlie,” which was deactivated shortly after being linked to him by the campaign group Hope Not Hate.
The account, which had nearly 50,000 followers, gained notoriety as RNLI staff faced online harassment from far-right activists over their role in rescuing individuals attempting to cross the Channel in small boats. It reportedly utilised AI to compile personal information from LinkedIn and other sites into a “Traitorbase.” The account was removed soon after Watson was implicated.
Similar to Watson’s LinkedIn posts, the account often praised far-right MP Rupert Lowe, claiming to have donated £2,500 to his Restore Britain party and joined its “Cromwell Club” for activists making significant contributions.
Several individuals targeted by the doxxing campaign spoke to the Guardian about its effects. Chantelle Lunt, a Green Party councillor in Merseyside, filed a police report after her details appeared online alongside those of others involved with Stand Up to Racism. She expressed concern over the climate of intimidation, stating, “The information is actively put out there, and you can see people engaging with it.”
A spokesperson for a targeted charity highlighted the spreading of misinformation as a significant issue, stating it hampers efforts to assist vulnerable communities. They urged social media companies, the media, and politicians to take action against such divisive misinformation.
The account also disclosed the identities and photographs of business executives involved in hiring minority ethnic staff. One businessperson described their experience of being doxxed as “bizarre,” adding that it was an unpleasant situation to confront.
Watson, who splits his time between the UK and the US, founded the recruitment firm Futura Energy Group, which focuses on AI recruitment. Archived records indicate that the Big Time Charlie account initially carried his name, with various links connecting him to the profile.
On 20 July, the account claimed to be in Zurich and posted a photo from the Vitznauerhof hotel, which coincided with Watson’s LinkedIn post from Switzerland two days later. Watson has been approached for comment.
