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Michael O’Leary, the outspoken boss of Ryanair who has described environmentalists as “eco-nuts” and “half-wit-ted loons”, seems to be trying to repaint himself green.

He has written an angry letter to an MEP demanding that he apologise publicly for accusing him of not caring about climate change.

Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West of England, had said during a debate in the European Parliament that Mr O’Leary “says that he does not give a toss for the environment so long as he can stuff his pockets and those of his company full of gold”.

Mr O’Leary, who is worth more than £200 million, wrote: “To suggest that I and Ryanair do not have regard to the environment is clearly untrue and damaging to Ryanair’s good name and reputation.” He demanded a retraction and an apology at the next sitting of the European parliament.

He said that Ryanair was Europe’s greenest airline because it operated modern aircraft and fitted as many passengers as possible on each flight. He claimed to have made “huge efforts” to ensure Ryanair was “environmentally sustainable”.

But only three weeks ago Mr O’Leary dismissed the climate change debate as a “middle-class, mid-life crisis” as he announced that Ryanair’s half-year profits had soared by 24 per cent to record levels.

In March he condemned “environ-mental headbangers” who blamed airlines for climate change. He added that “hairy environmentalists” were hypocrites for eating organic food flown to Britain. “Why don’t they eat British turnips all winter if they want to save flights?”

Last year, Mr O’Leary rejected a European Commission proposal to make airlines buy permits for the pollution they emitted.

Mr Davies has written to Mr O’Leary refusing to apologise, adding: “I am surprised but delighted that you wish to be considered a tree-hugger.” In January Ian Pearson, a junior environment minister, called Ryanair “the irresponsible face of capitalism” for its record on greenhouse gases.Mr O’Leary said that the minister “hadn’t a clue what he was talking about”.

Michael O’Leary, the outspoken boss of Ryanair who has described environmentalists as “half-witted loons”, seems to be trying to repaint himself green. He has written an angry letter to an MEP demanding that he apologise publicly for accusing him of not caring about climate change.

Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West of England, had said during a debate in the European Parliament that Mr O’Leary “says that he does not give a toss for the environment so long as he can stuff his pockets and those of his company full of gold”.

Mr O’Leary, who is worth more than £200 million, wrote: “To suggest that I and Ryanair do not have regard to the environment is clearly untrue and damaging to Ryanair’s good name and reputation.” He demanded a retraction and an apology at the next sitting of the European Parliament.

He said that Ryanair was Europe’s greenest airline because it operated modern aircraft and fitted as many passengers as possible on each flight. He claimed to have made “huge efforts” to ensure that Ryanair was “environ-mentally sustainable”.

But three weeks ago Mr O’Leary dismissed the climate change debate as a “middle-class, mid-life crisis” as he announced that Ryanair’s half-year profits had soared by 24 per cent to record levels. In March he condemned “environmental headbangers” who blamed airlines for climate change.

“Human breathing is one of the biggest problems as far as I can see. Why don’t environmentalists just shoot all the humans?”

He added that “hairy environmentalists” were hypocrites for eating organic food flown to Britain. “Why don’t they eat British turnips all winter if they want to save flights?” Last year Mr O’Leary rejected a European Commission proposal to make airlines buy permits for the pollution they emitted.

Mr Davies has written to Mr O’Leary refusing to apologise, adding: “I am surprised but delighted that you wish to be considered a tree-hugger.” In January Ian Pearson, a junior environment minister, called Ryanair “the irresponsible face of capitalism” for its record on greenhouse gases. Mr O’Leary said that the minister “hadn’t a clue what he was talking about”.

In O’Leary’s words

“The guilt-ridden middle classes chatter on about the bloody environment as they drive their SUVs to Sainsbury's to buy kiwi fruits flown halfway around the world. There is no link between aviation and climate change”

“Human breathing is one of the biggest problems as far as I can see. Why don’t environmentalists just shoot all the humans?”

“I am far too busy doubling Ryanair to be joining any carbon emissions trading scheme”

“To suggest that I do not have regard to the environment is damaging to Ryanair’s good name”

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