I think you're completely right.

You could say to him... "you know that when other people are around, you put me down?"

Or you could just leave him to making himself look bad.

My dad would interfere in my Business and my brothers Business by telling customers crap and then come back to us with he was just joking, well the customers don't know that so he was banned.

Yes, we have all had those people in our lives and it is hard to believe how hypocritical they are. You are right, he has low self esteem. What to do about it, well you can tell him that you do not appreciate his "jokes" and see how it goes. If he doesn't mend his ways, stop talking to him, just freeze him out. I know that is difficult but have a go, so how it pans out. Sorry that you have to put up with that kind of behaviour.

Definitely low self esteem-had a friend like that-keep him at a distance. Its childlike behavior I have no patience with.

I think you nailed it - low self-esteem. The direct approach works best for me. I don't care what someone else thinks of me and if I piss 'em off because the truth hurts too sad. I would NOT do it in front of others. But just the two of you, and say something like 'Are you so insecure you have this need to put me down when others around?" If you get the sad face response THAT"S when you go "Bullsit!, there was NO need to say . . . " - fill in the blank. But that's just me.

I have a colleague who does the same, plus she always wants to car share. She is a bully but has this way that makes her look so sweet and darling. 'Oh Jayne is that top another charity shop find, I could never buy anything from charity shops'. Or she tells me again about all the designer stuff her partner buys her or all about his hugely wealthy brother. She even said, 'oh Jayne your house is so sweet but my Stephen wouldn't want to live in such a rough area' (she literally lives 2 mins from me!). It used to really get to me. Then I realised she is desperately insecure, first in her family to get a degree, from a poor working class family, she feels an imposter...she has said enough. I decided to pity her. I don't need her to validate me in order to have any sense of self esteem or self worth. I know my value. I hope that helps?

Had the same person and told him no more joking around or I would return the favor. It worked like a charm.