The founder of the Pro-Brexit campaign group Leave.EU has made a joke about the climate change activist Greta Thunberg being involved in a 'freak yachting accident.'
The teenager, who has become one of the most prominent people on the planet in raising awareness about climate change, embarked on a zero-carbon two-week voyage across the Atlantic on board a solar-powered yacht on Wednesday.
Images of the 16-year-old onboard the vessel soon began to arrive online, with the Green Party MP Caroline Lucas wishing Thunberg good luck on her trip.
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Thunberg, who has become a target for online harassment and ridicule by climate change deniers, was subjected to an apparent 'joke' from Banks, who retweeted Lucas adding 'freak yachting accidents do happen in August.'
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Banks' attempt at humour was heavily admonished on social media with many branding his gag as completely unacceptable regardless of the message that she is trying to promote.
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In a series of tweets posted late on Wednesday, Banks has since attempted to defend himself and his joke.
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Thunberg was also subjected to mockery by the broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, who despite criticising Banks, posted a picture of the Swede joking that she didn't feel guilty about booking a long haul flight for her family's Christmas holiday.
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Unsurprisingly, her tweet was also heavily criticised by members of Twitter.
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Hartley-Brewer responded to the criticism with a query about whether a political campaigner of her nature, regardless of age, should be debated.
HT Guardian
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