Ratcliffe apologises over ‘UK colonised by immigrants’ comment

Manchester United co‑owner and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has issued an apology following backlash over comments he made during an interview with Sky’s economics and data editor, Ed Conway, in which he said the UK had been “colonised by immigrants.”

In a statement released after the interview, Ratcliffe acknowledged that his choice of words had caused offence. “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well‑managed immigration that supports economic growth,” he said.

Ratcliffe explained that his remarks were made while answering questions on UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp. He stressed that his intention was to highlight the need for governments to balance migration with investment in skills, industry, and jobs to ensure long‑term prosperity. “It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK,” he added.

The comments drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, all of whom called on Ratcliffe to apologise. However, the businessman also received support from some quarters, including former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss.

Meanwhile, The Times reported that the Football Association (FA) is reviewing Ratcliffe’s remarks, given his role as co‑owner of Manchester United.

– Inflammatory and divisive’ –

A spokesman for Starmer reacted by saying: “The Prime Minister asked for an apology, and one’s been issued, and it’s absolutely right that Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for that language.”

Pressed on whether Ratcliffe’s apology went far enough, the spokesman said: “It’s for Mr Ratcliffe to speak to his apology… It’s not for me.”

He added: “We are of course of the view that there should be a serious debate about immigration, but the Prime Minister believes in a Britain built for all, and that those comments were inflammatory and divisive.”

Ratcliffe told Sky News on Wednesday: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”

Ratcliffe’s comments could lead to a possible disciplinary charge of “bringing the game into disrepute” by England’s governing Football Association.

During his Sky interview, Ratcliffe, who said his “unpopular” decisions at Old Trafford were now bearing fruit, cited erroneous statistics that the UK population was 58 million in 2020 and that “now it’s 70 million”.

Population estimates by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the country’s population was in fact 67 million in mid-2020 and just under 70 million in mid-2024.

Hours later, Starmer urged Ratcliffe to apologise for the “offensive and wrong” comments, with Kick it Out, a UK-based body seeking to counter racism in football, reacting strongly to the “disgraceful and deeply divise” remarks on Thursday.

“In addition to the inaccurate figures mentioned, it’s worth reminding him that Manchester United has a diverse fan base and plays in a city whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants,” Kick It Out said in a statement.

“This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”

Several United supporters’ groups did indeed criticise the comments while the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said that while calling for immigration curbs was “one thing”, portraying those who arrived in Britain “as a hostile invading force is quite another”.

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