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Angry Politician Attempts to Dump Dead Fish in the Thames in Bizarre Protest

High-profile Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg was trying to make a stand against EU fishing regulations.
Photo via Flickr user LadyGeek TV / J Mark Dodds.

We regret to inform you that farcical politician Jacob Rees-Mogg is at it again. The British MP, known for his anti-abortion and anti-gay rights views, tried to stage a provocative media stunt yesterday by dumping some dead haddock off a boat in the Thames. Because what says rebellion like attempting to throw fish into a London river?

However, Rees-Mogg’s stunt was thwarted yesterday when London transport officials refused to let him board the boat on which he would have released the fish from. According to the Evening Standard, a licensing problem meant Rees-Mogg was blocked from getting on the vessel, leaving fellow Brexiteer and, the world’s most irrelevant man, Nigel Farage, to dump said fish.

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Just in case you’re not totally clear as to what dumping fish in a London river was supposed to protest, let us explain. Rees-Mogg, and some other pro-Brexit MPs, took issue with the news that UK fishermen (fisherpeople?) would still be subject to EU regulations during the 21-month transition period to leave to the union. In order to make it very clear to anyone who would listen that this was unfair, it was imperative that a box of haddock was emptied into the Thames. Of course. Of course.

Rees-Mogg, who has been the MP for North East Somerset since 2010, has enjoyed increased media attention since the vote to leave the EU, and following a poll that named him as most likely to be the next Conservative leader. His stance consistently opposing legislation to legalise same-sex marriage, as well as publicly announcing that he disagrees with abortion, even in cases of rape, has received cross-party criticism.

Rees-Mogg is also “uplifted” by the rise in food banks in the UK, has made millions off a hedge-fund management business that has ties to Russia and profits from the sale of illegal abortion pills, and boasts about never having changed a nappy, despite having six children.

Best of luck next time, mate.