Energy chief sparks fury with ‘disgusting’ death joke about former Ukip leader Nigel Farage

AN energy chief has caused outrage after making a joke that it was a shame Nigel Farage didn’t die this year.

Jonathan Cole, the managing director of Scottish Power Renewables made the crass remark to business chiefs last night at an event in Great Yarmouth.

Mr Cole paid tribute to a string of famous people who have died in the past year, and joked that “unfortunately” the list did not include Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader.

The remark caused local Ukip councillor Kay Grey, who leads the group on Great Yarmouth Council, to storm out of the event in disgust and demanded an apology.

She said: “It was a disgusting comment to make.”

She added: “I don’t like Nicola Sturgeon, Jeremy Corbyn or even David Cameron, particularly, but I would never wish death on someone.”

The councillor also said the remarks were inappropriate and that big businessmen needed to realise that “Ukip are here to stay”.

“If he can’t see what he said was inappropriate and be man enough to apologise then he should not be a managing director of a company.”

After the local elections in May, Ukip became the second largest party on the council.

A representative from Scottish Power tried to play down the row, and apologised if anyone had been offended.

“Jonathan was asked to deliver a lighthearted review of 2016,” the spokesperson said.

“He made clear immediately to the audience that his comment (about Farage) was entirely in jest.

“We apologise to anyone who has taken offence from the remarks,” she added.