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​The Nigel Farage milkshake debacle has distracted from the campaign's biggest story: The Brexit Party looks set to win in the North East.

If the polls are to be believed, the new anti-EU party is on course to come first in our region, a feat made more impressive by the fact the party didn't exist just six months ago.

How many seats that will translate to under the complicated voting system remains to be seen, but one thing looks likely: their lead candidate Brian Monteith will be a North East MEP by Friday morning.

(Image: The Brexit Party)

The 61-year-old Scot has a colourful CV and ample political experience but the fact he doesn't live in the region he wants to represent will no doubt raise an eyebrow or two.

Mr Monteith has been out of elected politics since 2007 - he was a Tory member of the Scottish Parliament for eight years but resigned after admitting to briefing against his own former leader.

Over the intervening 12 years he's been an international "communications specialist", a consultant to governments in Botswana, Trinidad and Tobago, Pakistan, Uganda and Nigeria and a newspaper columnist.

During the 2016 referendum campaign, he worked for the controversial Leave.EU campaign.

​Speaking to ChronicleLive, Mr Monteith reacted to Nigel Farage having a milkshake thrown at him in Newcastle on Monday.

He said: ​“The aggression shown towards Nigel Farage was untypical of his experience everywhere else in the North, such as in Sunderland, and from those on the streets of Newcastle he was able to meet.

"The descent into delinquent violence is highly dangerous as it can quickly escalate. What next, acid, as some have wished for?

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

"What happens if teachers are doused by pupils or public workers are attacked? Using food is no excuse. We have to stamp this out before someone is seriously hurt.​"​

​Many Leave-supporting North East voters are expected to back the Brexit Party on Thursday, but what does the man who wants to be your MEP stand for​? A​nd does he really know the region at all?

The Brexit Party doesn't have a manifesto. In fact, it only has one policy: To get out of the EU as soon as possible.

Mr Monteith said he believes the UK must leave on October 31 and, while he would theoretically support some sort of free trade deal struck before then, a no-deal Brexit on that date is essential, he said.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

"We don't need a manifesto", Mr Monteith said.

"We're not running a campaign saying we're going to fix potholes and that sort of thing.

"This election is all about sending a message to Westminster that people feel betrayed."

But what about votes on issues unrelated to Brexit? For example, how would the party vote on an issue like climate change?

Mr Monteith said: "I won't be taking a position on climate change or other issues per se, all I will be saying in relation to those votes is those laws should be made in the UK Parliament.

"Votes in the EU Parliament are neither here nor there - they just rubber stamp the Commission's decisions."

"People don't go down the pub and talk about how their MEP voted in the EU Parliament, that's not what bothers people.

"I don't think how we conduct ourselves and how we vote is going to be of crucial importance.

"It will be my task to listen to people in the North East and see how they feel."

The party is well ahead of the rest of the pack in the opinion polls and is the clear favourite to win the election - so where are the votes coming from?

"We're seeing lots of Labour voters switching over to us.

"They feel like they have been ignored and patronised and are sick of being told that their vote counted when they voted for Labour but they must have been stupid when they voted to leave in the referendum.

"I think that really hurts them."

The fact that Mr Monteith isn't from the region will no doubt turn heads with some voters.

Born in Edinburgh, he lives between London and France and frequently works overseas, but says he's visited the region many times over the years and feels Scots and people from the North East have a lot in common.

He said: "I don't think it's necessary for me to be from here because it's not like I'm standing for the local council. This is about Europe."

Mr Monteith wouldn't be drawn on whether he would relocate to the region if he wins.

Voters will give their verdict on The Brexit Party on Thursday. Six other parties are standing - you can see their candidates here .