A city boss has been suspended after he bought donuts for staff for his birthday, joking one of his colleagues loves a "glazed ring".

James Conmy, from Kent, sent an email round to staff at reinsurance broking firm Guy Carpenter offering "birthday treats", according to the Sun.

He wrote: “There are doughnuts on Alf’s desk as it’s my birthday today."

He went on to say he hoped people like Krispy Kremes, then naming one of his colleagues who he claimed "enjoys a glazed ring".

However, his gag went horribly wrong when he was suspended pending an investigation.

The colleague did not see the funny side and sent an angry response.

She replied: "This is absolutely totally unacceptable James.

"There are limits to “jokes” you can send at work copying in all colleagues – this is extremely rude and offensive.

"Please note that this will be forwarded to HR – HAPPY BIRTHDAY."

Mr Conmy, a senior vice president of global marine and energy at the firm, has since deleted his LinkedIn profile and Twitter following a huge backlash over his message.

A spokesman for Guy Carpenter, which is part of insurance group Marsh & McLennan, said: "We take all incidents of harassment very seriously and will not tolerate any behaviour that breaches our code of conduct.

“Our first priority is our affected colleague and we are offering all the support and counselling we can.

"Those involved in sending and externally disseminating this email have been suspended from the firm pending further investigation."

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