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A UKIP press call to promote the party’s fisheries policy unravelled to become a total farce.

The North East contingent of Nigel Farage’s “people’s army” had asked media to gather at Sunderland Fish Quay at 1pm on Thursday.

Journalists were promised a grand spectacle in support of UKIP’s policy to leave the EU, whose regulations they say are destroying the UK’s fishing industry.

UKIP flags were to be hoisted onto fishing vessels and the boats set sail up the River Wear to underline the threat “EU diktats” pose to North East fishing jobs.

On arrival, however, it became apparent it was low tide and it would not be possible for the fleet to leave the quay.

In a bid to salvage the event, red-faced campaigners clambered on to a hauled-out wooden craft to pose for makeshift photo opportunities.

But, it turned out the pesky tide times were the least of the candidates’ problems.

Speeches trumpeting UKIP’s core message of leaving the European Union were sabotaged by two amateur musicians, who live in a block of flats opposite the quay.

Drummer Carl Johnson and guitarist Tony Shaw, both 22, plugged in their amp and proceeded to jam as loudly as they could on the balcony in their flat.

Those gathered for the UKIP event struggled to hear the speeches of North East MEP Jonathan Arnott, Aileen Casey, parliamentary candidate for Washington and Sunderland West, Bryan Forster, who is contesting Sunderland Central and Richard Elvin, who is standing in Houghton and Sunderland South.

Mr Arnott said: “We’ve always said that UKIP events aren’t stage-managed and today’s event, while we got across our serious message about the threat to local fishermen, was no exception.

“Sadly, even UKIP can’t control the tide. But we all enjoyed the ‘free music’ provided for us by two local musicians, even if their neighbours perhaps didn’t.”

Speaking after the press call had ended, Tony the guitarist said: “I don’t like the things that UKIP are about.

“I think they are intolerant bigots with outdated motives.”

His pal Carl added: “I’m not political, I just like making a load of noise.”

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