Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Controversial Comments Spark Debate on Immigration

omidbasir- Sir Jim Ratcliffe has issued an apology following backlash over his recent comments regarding immigration, where he suggested that the UK had been “colonised by immigrants.” He emphasized the necessity for an “open debate” on immigration issues.

The billionaire co-owner of Manchester United faced criticism from Sir Keir Starmer, who described Ratcliffe’s remarks during an interview with Sky News as “offensive and wrong.”

In response, Ratcliffe stated, “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is essential to discuss controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.”

According to sources, the Football Association (FA) is evaluating whether Ratcliffe’s comments have brought the sport into disrepute, which could lead to formal investigation and potential penalties.

During his interview, Ratcliffe expressed his views on the economic implications of immigration, claiming, “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?” He also inaccurately claimed that the population of the UK had increased by 12 million in the last five years, while the Office for National Statistics estimates the increase was actually less than three million.

A spokesperson for Downing Street stated that it was “absolutely right” for Ratcliffe to apologize for his choice of words. Reform UK leader previously countered Starmer’s critique, asserting that “Britain has undergone unprecedented mass immigration that has changed the character of many areas in our country.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham condemned Ratcliffe’s comments, stating they “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood.”

Ratcliffe, one of the wealthiest individuals in Britain, founded Ineos, one of the largest chemical companies globally. In 2020, he relocated from the UK to Monaco, a jurisdiction that does not impose personal income tax or capital gains taxes.

In 2024, he acquired a 27.7% stake in Manchester United, subsequently restructuring the organization, which included making 450 redundancies and overhauling senior management. Ratcliffe has also been a vocal supporter of the Leave campaign during the 2016 European Union referendum and has expressed dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party, indicating his support for Labour ahead of the upcoming general election.

Additionally, Ineos is noted for its contributions to scientific research, aligning with Ratcliffe’s focus on improving standards at Manchester United.