This is one of the weirder stories you’ll read this week, so buckle up.

The events, as we understand them, begin with a celebration on a British cruise ship called Britannia (pictured above).

The patriotic party, complete with Union Jack bunting, started with heavy drinking and was followed by a black-tie event in the evening.

Then, some passengers claim, a clown showed up.

This would be enough to send me overboard, so I can understand why people might react badly.

Good Morning Britain’s chief correspondent Richard Gaisford recorded his version of events on Twitter:

Gainsford added:

One witness, part of a group involved in the trouble, explained to staff that things kicked off when another passenger appeared dressed as a clown. This upset one of their party because they’d specifically booked a cruise with no fancy dress. It led to a violent confrontation.

If it says no fancy dress, you don’t rock up as a clown. Those are the rules.

Before things went south, here’s a video of happier times aboard the Britannia:

Britannia left Bergen at 1430 on Thursday, the violence occurred 12 hours later after a black-tie evening. It followed an afternoon of ‘patriotic’ partying on deck, with large amounts of alcohol being consumed by many guests. pic.twitter.com/zQcEXGDJeg

— Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) July 27, 2019

I get the feeling this was a pro-Brexit affair.

The Evening Standard claims that passengers suspected of being behind the violence were reportedly confined to their cabins on the last day of the cruise, before being greeted by Hampshire police when the ship docked in Southampton on Saturday morning.

While I find it perfectly plausible that people would arm themselves in the presence of a clown, there may be more to this story.

Over to Metro:

…P&O confirmed there was no clown on board and said this was supported by ship staff. This was confirmed by Hampshire Police. A man, 43, and a woman, 41, from Chigwell, Essex, have been arrested on suspicion of assault.

This despite an entertainer onboard telling media outlets that “a person dressed as a clown and this upset the other passengers”.

Why people imagined a clown, or tried to use a clown as a diversion, remains a mystery.

Six people were assaulted suffering cuts and bruises.

And they say cruises are relaxing…

[sources:eveningstandard&metro]