Brexit activist Arron Banks slammed over 'despicable' tweet about Greta Thunberg

Insurance tycoon Arron Banks has come under fire for a tweet about 16-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

Brexit campaigner Arron Banks

The Leave.EU founder responded to a post by Green party MP Caroline Lucas about Greta's voyage across the Atlantic on a racing yacht, writing: "Freak yachting accidents do happen in August ..."

He later tweeted that it was a "joke" after his comment sparked outrage from social media users.

Climate change activist Greta Thunberg

She had earlier written: "If you are a grown up, fully-fledged adult and you are mocking this young girl for trying to save the planet then I genuinely feel sorry for you."

One Twitter user responded to Mr Banks' post by saying: "You know she's 16, right?". Another described his comment as "despicable".

Mr Banks later defended his post and, in response to another tweet that highlighted the fact Greta was a child, he said: "Quite and one being used. Obviously I don't hope she encounters a freak yachting accident! I just enjoy watching the ludicrous tweeter mob following the next outrage ..."

He also replied to someone accusing him of showing "his true colours", saying: "It was a joke ... you lefties have no sense of humour ..."

The Swedish teenager's "school strikes" have inspired a global protest movement by young people demanding urgent action on climate change.