Jim Ratcliffe Apologises For Comments On UK Migration

Jim Ratcliffe has issued a limited apology for claiming “the UK is being colonised” by migrants.

The billionaire co-owner of Manchester United said he was “sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe”.

He issued a statement following a furious political backlash to his remarks, which he made in an interview with Sky News.

Ratcliffe, the founder and chairman of petrochemical giants Ineos, 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.”

Keir Starmer demanded he apologise for the “offensive and wrong” comments, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham called on him to withdraw them.

In his statement on Wednesday morning, Ratcliffe, who lives as a tax exile in Monaco, said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe. It is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration.

“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.

“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.”

The PM’s official spokesman said: “The prime minister asked for an apology and one’s been issued and its absolutely right that Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for that language.”

Earlier, justice minister Jake Richards had questioned Ratcliffe’s patriotism as he criticised his remarks.

He it was “perfectly legitimate” for people to raise concerns about immigration, which the government had pledged to bring down.

But he added: “The way in which we talk about that, and the way in which we discuss and label immigrations and immigrants who come to our country and contribute has to be done very carefully.

“Jim Ratcliffe’s comments fail that test miserably, coupled with the fact that Jim Ratcliffe has moved to Monaco to save £4 billion-worth of tax in this country. One might question whether he is the patriot we need to comment on this issue.”