Manchester United Co-Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Issues Formal Apology Over Controversial Immigration Comments
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the prominent co-owner of Manchester United Football Club and founder of the INEOS chemicals conglomerate, has formally apologized for his inflammatory statement claiming that the United Kingdom has been "colonised by immigrants." The billionaire businessman made the controversial remarks during a recent interview with Sky News, where he discussed profound political, social, and economic challenges facing Britain.
Controversial Interview Sparks Immediate Backlash
During the televised interview, Ratcliffe expressed strong views on immigration policy, stating: "You cannot 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 further elaborated by citing population figures, claiming: "The population of the UK was 58m in 2020, now it's 70m. That's 12m people." However, official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) presents different numbers, estimating the UK population at 67 million in mid-2020 and approximately 70 million in mid-2024, with the population having been 58.9 million back in the year 2000.
Formal Apology and Clarification Issued
In a carefully worded statement released on Thursday, Ratcliffe expressed regret for his choice of language while maintaining his position on the need for controlled immigration policies. "I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern," he stated, "but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth."
The billionaire businessman explained that his comments were made during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where he was participating in discussions about UK policy, economic growth, job creation, skills development, and manufacturing. "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," Ratcliffe clarified.
Broader Context of Immigration Debate
Ratcliffe's comments come amid ongoing national debates about immigration policy in the United Kingdom, with various political factions and business leaders expressing differing views on how to balance economic needs with social integration. The Manchester United co-owner emphasized in his apology statement that "it is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK," suggesting he believes the substance of immigration policy discussions remains important despite his regrettable phrasing.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance public figures must maintain when discussing sensitive topics like immigration, particularly when they hold prominent positions in both business and sports. As co-owner of one of the world's most famous football clubs, Ratcliffe's comments attracted significant media attention and public scrutiny across multiple sectors.
