Businessman and Brexiteer Arron Banks has been slammed online for posting a 'vile' joke about Greta Thunberg.
The 16-year-old activist is setting sail across the Atlantic in a solar-powered yacht on a two-week voyage.
Caroline Lucas shared a photo of her on Twitter, saying: "She’s carrying the vital message to the UN that time is running out to address the #ClimateEmergency."
Responding to the post on Twitter , Banks warned the teenager that “freak yachting accidents do happen in August”.
The joke was immediately condemned by many Twitter users, with one person commenting: "Threatening children? Color me unsurprised."
Another said: "Grown man issuing veiled threats to a kid, this must be a very proud day for you."
Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MEP for South West England, said: "You are a vile, nasty piece of work."
After the backlash, Banks defended the joke and commented: "It was a joke .. you lefties have no sense of humour."
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