‘These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood’
Andy Burnham has criticised comments on ‘immigrants’ by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, in a stinging rebuke, said the comments ‘go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood’.
And in what appears to be a reference to the Glazer ownership of United, Mr Burnham spoke of ‘those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions’.
Sir Jim, the founder and chairman of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, said in an interview that ‘the UK has been colonised by immigrants’.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday night described the comments as ‘offensive and wrong’ – and called on him to apologise.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ineos owner 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.”
“If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you are going to have to do some things which are unpopular and show some courage.”
He went on to describe Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as ‘an intelligent man’ with ‘good intentions’.
But in a statement issued on Thursday morning, Mr Burnham criticised the comments – and said footballers who have arrived in Greater Manchester over the years ‘have enhanced the life of our city-region’. He also praised the contribution of NHS workers and those in other industries.
The mayor said: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC. Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.
“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city-region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.
“We appreciate their contribution as a city-region famous for the warmth of our welcome. 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.”
Sir Jim bought a minority share in Manchester United in late 2023 and his Ineos group has since taken control of football operations.
The billionaire has presided over a variety of contentious changes since becoming part of the ownership, with ticket pricing and availability causing particular anger among United fans.