Manchester United Co-owner’s ‘Colonised’ Remark Draws Condemnation
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has faced widespread criticism after stating that the United Kingdom has been “colonised by immigrants.” The comments, made during a Sky News interview on Wednesday, , prompted a swift rebuke from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called for an apology.
Starmer described Ratcliffe’s remarks as “offensive and wrong,” asserting that Britain is a “proud, tolerant and diverse country.” The Prime Minister’s statement came late Wednesday night, quickly followed by similar condemnation from other political figures.
Ratcliffe, the founder and chair of the chemical company Ineos, and a recent purchaser of a significant stake in Manchester United, argued that immigration is placing an unsustainable strain on the UK’s resources. He specifically cited the number of people receiving benefits, stating, “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.” He continued, “I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money.”
The businessman, who has resided in tax-free Monaco since 2020, also presented inaccurate population statistics, claiming the UK population had risen from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million. According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK population was 67 million in 2020 and reached 70 million in mid-.
The controversy comes after Ineos received £120 million in UK state aid last year, reportedly to protect jobs. Ratcliffe’s comments have ignited a debate about immigration policy and the role of wealthy individuals in public discourse.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also weighed in on Thursday, , stating that Ratcliffe’s comments “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood.” Burnham emphasized the city’s history of inclusivity and collaboration, adding a pointed remark about Ratcliffe’s financial contributions to the club: “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.”
Stella Creasy, a Labour MP, further criticized Ratcliffe, highlighting the diversity within the Manchester United team itself. She noted on X that the team’s starting lineup and bench would be largely comprised of players from immigrant backgrounds, questioning Ratcliffe’s understanding of their contributions.
Ratcliffe’s remarks have also drawn criticism from the Liberal Democrats, with leader Ed Davey labeling them “totally wrong.” A Muslim group associated with Manchester United also reportedly condemned the comments as deeply offensive.
The debate surrounding Ratcliffe’s statements underscores the sensitivity of immigration as a political issue in the UK. His comments come at a time when immigration levels are a subject of ongoing discussion and scrutiny, despite official data indicating that numbers are not necessarily rising as some believe.
