Watch the moment Nigel Farage comes face-to-face with PETA spokeswoman Lucy Watson about her group’s bid to “rewrite history”.
The animal welfare group is campaigning for a seaside town’s century-old mascot to be retired.
Watson argued on the People’s Channel that the iconic character only serves to remind people of the fishing industry’s “agony and horror”.
“There is absolutely nothing jolly about celebrating mutilating fish”, she said.
GB NEWS
|Nigel Farage clashed with PETA activist Lucy Watson
“It’s the perfect time for Skegness to embrace a new, kind tradition and rebrand to a happy place. We know fishing is immensely cruel and we know fish can suffer for up to an hour in agony as they suffocate in the air after they are dragged from their ocean homes.
“Many are gutted when they are still alive. It’s just horrific and there’s no need to do this in 2025.”
Nigel argued that seaside towns like Skegness have proud fishing histories and doing away with celebratory landmarks will only serve to strip areas of their heritage.
“Tradition is never an excuse for cruelty”, Watson hit back.
GB NEWS
|Watson said the fisherman mascot should be retired
“There’s a vegan revolution and more people are going vegan than ever before. It’s not right to treat animals this way. It’s not right to take them from their homes and gut them while they are still alive.
“It’s not necessary.”
Nigel argued: “To take away historic symbols, to take away the identity in some ways of Skegness, you are trying to erase a part of history you don’t approve of.”
“That’s absolutely not the case”, Watson countered. “This is all about evolving and this is a great opportunity for Skegness to introduce and embrace a kinder, better tradition that shows kindness and compassion to animals.”
She said the Jolly Fisherman should be replaced with a “Happy Plaice”.
An exasperated Nigel hit back at the “corny” idea, saying: “It’s the corniest, most ridiculous idea.”
He then asked whether PETA would advocate household pets being freed from their homes.
“Companion animals is a completely different topic and we’re here to discuss the Skegness statue”, she said, batting away the probe.
Watson concluded the chat by handing Nigel a plate of vegan caviar while reminding him of a promise he made on GB News to have a vegan lunch sometime.
Nigel said he will come good with his promise and he was handed a vegan starter kit by the animal welfare activist, who told the People’s Channel star she will “hold him” to his pledge.