Sir Jim Ratcliffe Issues Apology After Explosive 'Colonised' Comment Sparks Outrage
Two nobles of the kingdom exchanging challenges once made for quite a spectacle. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's public rebuke from U.K. prime minister Sir Keir Starmer proves far more awkward for everyone concerned.
Ratcliffe, the part-owner of Manchester United who oversees the club's football operations, sparked controversy with a series of provocative remarks about immigration in Britain.
"You cannot sustain an economy with nine million people receiving benefits and massive numbers of immigrants arriving," the Lancashire-born Monaco resident stated to Sky News this week. "I mean, the U.K. has been taken over. It's becoming too expensive.
"The U.K. has been overrun by immigrants, essentially, hasn't it? I mean, Britain's population stood at 58 million in 2020, now it's 70 million. That represents 12 million additional people."
"Insulting and incorrect," was Starmer's reply on X. "Britain is a proud, accepting and multicultural nation. Jim Ratcliffe owes an apology."
From a statistical perspective, Starmer held firm ground. The U.K. population stood at 66.7 million in mid-2020 and has increased to 69.5 million based on the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Ratcliffe honored the prime minister's call for an apology, though it came with certain conditions.
"I regret that my word choice has upset some individuals in the U.K. and Europe and generated worry but it remains vital to address the matter of regulated and properly managed immigration that bolsters economic development," Ratcliffe declared in a statement issued by his international chemical corporation INEOS.
"My remarks were delivered while responding to inquiries about U.K. policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was addressing the significance of economic expansion, employment, expertise and production in the U.K.
"My goal was to emphasize that administrations must handle migration while investing in skills, industry and employment so that lasting prosperity benefits all. It remains essential that we preserve open discussion on the difficulties confronting the U.K."
'Outrage' at Man Utd
'Outrage' at Man Utd
The response to Ratcliffe's immigration statements has generated varied reactions. Some individuals closely linked with Manchester United are reportedly "furious" with their part-owner, according to The Times.
The same publication reports that the English Football Association's legal team is examining whether Ratcliffe's statements are prejudicial or have damaged the sport's reputation.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed his position clearly. "These statements contradict everything Manchester has historically represented: a location where people of all backgrounds and beliefs have worked together across generations to develop our city and our organizations—including Manchester United FC," he posted on X.
"Advocating for restrictions on immigration levels is one matter, depicting those who arrive here as a threatening invasion force is entirely different. It is false, offensive, provocative and should be retracted."
The response hasn't been entirely critical. A Downing Street representative stated that the remarks "serve the interests of those seeking to fragment our nation." Reform party leader Nigel Farage seized the moment to announce: "I believe, strongly, that Jim Ratcliffe is correct."
Ratcliffe expressed admiration for Farage. "I consider Nigel an astute individual, and, I believe he has good motives," the known Brexit supporter stated. "But in some ways, you could make the identical observation about Keir Starmer. I believe it [the nation] requires someone willing to be disliked temporarily to resolve the major challenges."