Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised after claiming that Britain has been “colonised” by migrants, acknowledging that his comments offended people in the UK and Europe. The billionaire, who is one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals, faced pressure from senior political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, to retract the statement. While expressing regret for the offence caused, Sir Jim said he intended to highlight the importance of controlled immigration in supporting economic growth. “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 in a statement on Thursday. He added that his remarks were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where discussions focused on jobs, skills, manufacturing, and economic growth. “My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry, and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK,” he said. Downing Street welcomed the apology, with the Prime Minister’s spokesman describing the original comments as “offensive and wrong” and calling it “right” that Sir Jim had apologised. Sir Keir Starmer was among the first high-profile figures to demand a retraction. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also criticised the remarks, saying they “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood.” He highlighted the positive impact of migrants, including footballers, in enhancing the city region. “If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions,” Burnham added. The anti-discrimination group Kick It Out condemned Sir Jim’s remarks as “disgraceful and deeply divisive,” also challenging his claim that the UK population had grown by 12 million since 2020, which has been proven inaccurate. The controversy traces back to a Sky News interview where Sir Jim said, “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.” Sir Jim, founder of chemical giant Ineos in 1998, acquired a minority stake in Manchester United in late 2023, with his group now controlling football operations. His tenure has seen contentious decisions, particularly regarding ticket pricing and availability, sparking protests from fans ahead of the club’s recent home game against Fulham.
