Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Brexit battle reached new levels of absurdity on Wednesday, in a naval face-off on the Thames between rival flotillas commanded by Nigel Farage and Bob Geldof.
With one week until Britain votes on its membership of the EU, tensions are high between the two camps, who have furiously accused each other of scare tactics, lies and misleading stunts.
But the Fishing For Leave armada of more than 30 fishing trawlers, countered by a smaller pro-Remain dinghy fleet armed with big speakers blaring Chicago's If You Leave Me Now and Dobie Gray's In With the In Crowd, marked a new high tide in the desperate push for votes.
Geldof was joined by Rachel Johnson, sister of Out camp leader Boris Johnson.
At one point Geldof pulled up alongside UKIP leader Farage's boat (which was equipped with Union flag deckchairs) and shouted "Farage you're a fraud, you're no fisherman's friend!"
So I’m on a Remain boat with Bob Geldof and Rachel Johnson. They’re heading off Nigel Farage’s Thames flotilla. pic.twitter.com/JU3vpuwWtK— Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) June 15, 2016
"Go back down the river because you are up one without a canoe or a paddle."
A UKIP member shouted "get a job" at Geldof, who responded with the 'wanker sign', the Telegraph's Michael Deacon reported.
A Brexit fishing boat then turned a hose on a Remain dinghy.
Pictured: a pro-Brexit fisherman squirting water at a pro-EU dinghy pic.twitter.com/BHs9MsVRtk— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) June 15, 2016
The story was further complicated by the claim that one of the Remain dinghies belonged to Goldman Sachs, while the Brexit flotilla's star trawler had reportedly been involved in a £63 million fishing fraud.
Tower Bridge remained up for 20 minutes as the flotilla passed through, causing traffic to back up in central London.
Londoners boo a 'remain in' flotilla on Thames #Brexit pic.twitter.com/73fVl0h6hK— Ilya Gridneff (@IlyaGridneff) June 15, 2016
Horns filling central London as the pro-Brexit flotilla attempts to drown out Bob Geldof's boat soundsystem. pic.twitter.com/gOQvcXxcWs— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 15, 2016
The Port of London had permitted 12 boats from the Leave flotilla to continue up to Westminster, where they were pursued by Geldof.
Farage said the protest was intended to highlight the failings of the EU's common fisheries policy, which had "led to a 60 per cent drop in oversized landings and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs in our industry".
Geldof's protest was disgusting, he said. "To see multimillionaires frankly mocking them is a pretty shameful sight."
Increasingly think Bob Geldof is preparing to board Farage's boat. Thames is a total mess. The hell is happening. pic.twitter.com/UbqDIaN9Js— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 15, 2016
However Greenpeace accused Farage of hypocrisy, saying as a UKIP MEP he had failed to vote on three major measures designed to fix flaws in the Common Fisheries Policy.
"With hindsight the EU referendum was always going to be decided by a badly organised naval battle between UKIP and Bob Geldof," tweeted journalist Liam Kirkaldy.
