Jacob Rees-Mogg Thames fishing protest descends into farce as TfL blocks trawler from docking

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A protest by Brexiteers over fishing policy descended into farce today as high-profile Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg was blocked from boarding a trawler on the Thames.

Transport for London officials stopped several Tory MPs, including Mr Rees-Mogg, boarding the trawler at Embankment and Westminster piers because of a licensing problem.

Mr Rees-Mogg then fled the protest before former Ukip leader – and Thames fishing protest veteranNigel Farage eventually boarded the boat.

Mr Farage joined fishermen in throwing a box of haddock into the river in protest after the UK agreed to remain subject to the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy during the 21-month transition period after Britain leaves the bloc next March.

Nigel Farage tips a box of fish into the Thames
Jeremy Selwyn

The fishing industry feel they have been betrayed after Brexit ministers made promises about “taking back control” of fisheries policy.

Tory MPs Jacob Rees-Mogg, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Craig Mackinlay gave a short press conference alongside the Fishing for Leave campaigners who organised the stunt but disappeared before Mr Farage arrival.

Jacob Rees-Mogg: Fishing for Leave protest

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Asked about the small number of supporters gathered, Mr Rees-Mogg, chair of the European Reform Group, told the Standard: “We only asked a few people to come because not many can fit on the boat. It was merely a question of numbers who could get on.”

"They told us they would take back control in 2019 - that is not happening. We are now told at the start of 2021 it may happen," Mr Farage told Sky News.

"I don't think this Government has got the guts or the strength to stand up and take back our territorial waters."

Mr Farage attended only one of the 42 meetings held by the EU's fisheries committee during the three years he sat on it.

The protest was hit by farcical scenes when a harbourmaster prevented the boat from docking at several piers - meaning Mr Rees-Mogg, who championed the protest - could not board.

The trawler on the River Thames
PA

A TfL spokeswoman said: "It's a standard procedure which we have that you have to book in advance to dock. This is to allow commuters to use regular riverboat services. You can book online on the TfL website."

Barred from docking: Jacob Rees-Mogg at Embankment pier
PA

Fishing for Leave, the campaign group which organised the protest, say fish must be discarded after being caught due to EU quota rules.

Theresa May has been told by 14 of her parliamentary allies that she must use this week's European Council to insist that the UK will set its own fisheries policy from the date of Brexit in March 2019 rather than from the end of the implementation period.

The boat on the water outside the Houses of Parliament
PA

At this week's summit, 13 Tory MPs and one DUP MP said Mrs May should indicate her intention to take back control of the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone and state that "UK national fisheries resources are not negotiable".

They said: "Leaving the European Union means setting our own fisheries policy from March 29 2019. The UK will not remain party to the CFP (common fisheries policy) during the proposed implementation period."

A spokesman for the Best for Britain campaign, Paul Butters, branded the fish-dumping stunt "embarrassing".

Mr Butters said: "The Brexiteers are lost at sea with a stupid stunt like this. Today's comedy of errors is a metaphor for their Brexit plans.

"The people who wanted Brexit are literally polluting the place with their never-ending complaint that it wasn't exactly what they wanted."

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