Frankie Boyle calls Richard Branson a 'mad c**t' after airline boss's plea to save the Arctic

Controversial Scottish comedian pointed out billionaire 'owned an airline'

Comedian Frankie Boyle has delivered a stinging put down to Richard Branson’s latest plea to do more to tackle climate change.

The Virgin Atlantic boss, who made his estimated $4.8 billion fortune in the airline industry, tweeted two days ago: “It’s time for bold leadership and conservation in #Arctic”.

His suggestion, shortly after Nasa warned that sea ice in the Arctic Ocean had fallen to its lowest levels on record, was not well received by the Scottish comedian.

Keeping things simple, Boyle tweeted back at the billionaire boss: “You own an airline, you mad c**t”.

Branson’s original tweet has been retweeted just over 300 times – in comparison, Boyle’s explicit rebuke has been favourited over 1,500 times and retweeted over 1,000.

In Branson’s linked post, the airline boss writes: “Let’s not fail the Arctic. Let’s say no to drilling. Let’s manage our emissions.”

He has since responded to Boyle's remarks, posting:

Boyle, 42, is well known for his often controversial style of humour, frequently over-running the fine line between amusing and offensive.