In a since-deleted tweet widely shared online, Matt Kelly posted a picture from a campaign event convened by Farage, mocking the lack of diversity and age of the crowd.
Many quickly pounced on his incendiary comments, with one critic saying his remarks "explain why practically nobody reads" The New European.
After deleting the tweet, Kelly posted a public apology, stating while his statements were "meant to be light-hearted", they'd obviously "upset a lot of people".
The online and print outlet is owned by local UK newspaper group Archant, and was established after the 2016 referendum and has the tagline 'Brexit news for the 48 per cent'.
Originally intended to run for just four weeks, it sold sufficiently well to remain in operation, selling around 20,000 copies a week.
Ardent remainer and former New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell serves as its ‘editor-at-large', and Change UK spokesman Chuka Umunna and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others, have contributed guest articles to the publication.
Ardent remainer and former New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell serves as its ‘editor-at-large', and Change UK spokesman Chuka Umunna and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others, have contributed guest articles to the publication.