Josh Thomas, Joel Bowden square off over acid wash jeans comment ahead of Johnston by-election

A PAIR of acid wash jeans has sparked a verbal biffo between Labor’s candidate for Johnston Joel Bowden and the CLP’s Josh Thomas

Josh Thomas and his acid wash jeans

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A PAIR of acid wash jeans has sparked a verbal biffo between Labor’s candidate for Johnston Joel Bowden and the CLP’s Josh Thomas.

Witnesses told the NT News the two men squared off at the early voting centre at the Rapid Creek shops on Thursday after Mr Thomas overheard a snarky comment from Mr Bowden mocking his sartorial choices.

It’s understood Mr Bowden said: “He’s rocking the acid wash; do you think they’re Diesel?”

Several minutes later, Mr Thomas confronted the 1.88m tall Mr Bowden in front of a number of witnesses in a physically threatening way.

Standing centimetres from Mr Bowden, he said: “If you’ve got something to say to me, say it to my face”.

It’s understood Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro, who was nearby at the time, spoke with Mr Thomas at length out of view of witnesses soon after.

When asked about the confrontation, Mr Thomas – who was today wearing black trousers – denied anything happened.

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“I’m a musician. I wouldn’t do that,” he said.

“If he wants my pair of jeans – if he likes them – he can have them.”

Ms Finocchiaro said she had not seen any poor behaviour from candidates.

Mr Bowden declined to comment on the incident on Friday.