Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘sorry’ that comments on immigrants ‘offended some people’

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he is sorry if he has “offended some people” by saying the United Kingdom has been “colonised by immigrants”.

Ratcliffe’s remarks in a Sky News interview on Wednesday have been heavily criticised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and the Press Association understands they will also be examined by the Football Association to see whether they brought the game into disrepute.

Ratcliffe said in a statement issued on Thursday: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.

“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.”

Ratcliffe told Sky News on Wednesday: “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.”