'Sneering contempt' of Remainer newspaper makes people of Skegness 'hurt and upset' after it 'exploits' Jolly Fisherman

Remainer newspaper The New European has been criticised by Skegness locals, including the MP, for a front page which appears to mock the area for voting Brexit.

Using an image which has been accused of "exploiting" local mascot the Jolly Fisherman, the paper appeared to show Skegness in a Brexit apocalypse.

The image depicting the Jolly Fisherman on their front page holds two fingers aloft and wears a shirt which says "Go Away" as well as a scarf in Ukip colours.

The front page says: "Skegness is so Brexit".

It offended many, as Lincolnshire recorded the highest vote (75%) for Brexit in Boston, which is a town just 40 minutes away from Skegness.

The front page appeared to be intended to mock and offend the people of the Brexit-voting seaside town, as the  front page was emailed out to the media on Wednesday afternoon with  accompanying text saying there was an “opportunity to stir up controversy locally” as the cover and article were “unlikely to go down well”.

The Remain-voting local MP, Matt Warman, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire the front page is "not only fundamentally wrong but fundamentally daft".

Skegness Town Council’s clerk Steve Larner told the i newspaper: “It is very sad to see the image of the Jolly Fisherman being exploited in such a negative way.

“Both residents and visitors will testify that Jolly welcomes everyone to Skegness and many will be hurt and offended by this use of their much loved, iconic Jolly Fisherman.”

He also refuted the article accompanying the image, saying the town is“very much open for business”.

“Last weekend the town was exceptionally busy, filled with visitors who used our beautiful beach and received a superbly warm welcome,” he said.

Many on social media expressed their shock at the front page.

One wrote: "That front page may be good business for you, but it is awful, awful politics for the pro-European cause".

Another said: "How to show the way in crass snobbery!"

The Editor of the New European, Matt Kelly, didn't seem to mind the outrage he caused, writing: "This one appears to be causing a bit of a kerfuffle" and "Haha.. another bloke from the Mail doesn't like it. #winning".

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