Ukip MP in bizarre Twitter row with science expert after claims the sun's gravity causes tides

Ukip’s only MP became embroiled in a bizarre Twitter row with a science expert after he said the sun - rather than the moon - causes tides.

Douglas Carswell, MP for Essex seaside constituency Clacton-on-Sea, chose to take on University of Sussex science policy professor Paul Nightingale on the social media site on Monday night.

Mr Nightingale mentioned the moon’s gravity in a tweet about international trade – but in a reply on Twitter Mr Carswell said tides were in fact caused by the sun’s gravity.

He said: “Actually it’s the gravitational pull of the sun. The moon’s gravity does Spring/neap tides.”

But Mr Nightingale replied: “Sorry Douglas, you've been mis-informed. Tides caused by moon not the sun (27m x bigger). Distance matters.”

The vocal MP said: “Surprised head of science research at a university refutes idea sun's gravity causes tides.”

Mr Nightingale, who is the deputy head of the university’s science policy research unit, replied: “Douglas, this isn't a controversial point. It’s in Newton's Principia.”

Mr Carswell replied: “Two tides every 24 hours. Caused by earth’s rotation/sun’s gravitational pull. Moon magnifies Spring/neap tides.”

But according to the National Ocean Service, an organisation linked to a US government scientific agency, the gravitational pull of both the sun and the moon affects the earth’s tides each month.

Spring tides occur twice every lunar month, while neap tides - more moderate tides - happen during the first and third quarter moon.

Many people hit out at Mr Carswell on Twitter, calling him "an embarassment" and his claims worrying - and others found the whole exchange "hilarious".

Others took to Twitter to make jokes related to Ukip's other policies - including on Brexit and global warming.