UKIP's only MP Douglas Carswell thinks the Sun causes tides - not the Moon

REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

Carswell (right) with former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

Douglas Carswell, UKIP's sole MP, got into a bizarre Twitter argument about what causes tides.

Carswell, who is renowned for being vocal online, decided to pick a fight on Monday night with someone who said, correctly, that the Moon causes tidal movement. The staunch Brexiteer claimed it was actually the Sun which is mainly responsible.

The man who Carswell called out was Paul Nightingale - a professor in science policy. Nightingale immediately pointed out the MP's fairly massive factual mistake, but Carswell stuck to his guns and continued to argue anyway.

Here is the surreal exchange in full:

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The entertaining exchange didn't go unnoticed, and quickly got picked up by lots of baffled Twitter users.

Carswell really is an intriguing man. Business Insider has been keeping a close eye on speculation that he is paid in gold nuggets by companies who advertise on his blog - an accusation he is yet to deny despite numerous chances to do so.