Billionaire Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised over his claims immigrants had “colonised” the UK.
Sir Jim issued a statement on Thursday after his comments in a Sky News interview sparked an avalanche of condemnation.
He said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe, 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.”
The billionaire, who is founder and chairman of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, said politicians needed to “do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track”.
In an interview with Sky News, Sir Jim said: “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.”
However, his comment was swiftly condemned, including by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who said his remarks were “offensive and wrong”.
“Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise,” he added in his reaction on X.
Sir Keir’s spokesman on Thursday accused Sir Jim of getting his facts wrong over immigration.
He added: "The Prime Minister asked for an apology, and one's been issued, and it's absolutely right that Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for that language."
Pressed on whether it went far enough, the official said: "It's right that he's apologised. It's for Mr Ratcliffe to speak to his apology... It's not for me.
"The Prime Minister was clear that those comments were offensive and wrong, and that's why he called on Mr Ratcliffe to apologise.
"We are of course of the view that there should be a serious debate about immigration, but the Prime Minister believes in a Britain built for all, and that those comments were inflammatory and divisive."
Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, social and economic challenges.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 11, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0HkfO
There has been no contact between Downing Street and the Manchester United co-owner about his comments, he said.
Justice minister Jake Richards, on the media round for the Government, said there was a legitimate debate to be had over immigration.
But he told Times Radio: “It’s completely absurd to think that our country is being, ‘colonized,’ which implies some kind of invasion or take over. That’s not right at all.”
He then expanded the Government’s attack on Sir Jim, saying: “There’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save four billion pounds in tax is now lecturing us about immigration.”
Given the tycoon’s tax affairs, Mr Richards later told the BBC: “One might question whether he is the patriot that we need to comment on this issue.”
Offensive and wrong.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 11, 2026
Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.
Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.https://t.co/7mSnVV33oo
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also criticised Sir Jim.
He said: "These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races and faiths have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions - including Manchester United FC.”
Mentioning Man Utd players, Sky Sports presenter Dougie Critchley wrote on X: “Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven are English of Ghanaian descent.
“Man United's men's first team squad is made up of 14 different nationalities, many of whom represent their country as a result of migration and freedom of movement.
“What do you think they make of Sir Jim Ratcliffe saying "the UK has been colonised by immigrants"?
“I'm absolutely stunned.”
But Sir Jim argued: “If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you are going to have to do some things which are unpopular and show some courage.”
Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven are English of Ghanaian descent.
— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) February 11, 2026
Man United's men's first team squad is made up of 14 different nationalities, many of whom represent their country as a result of migration and freedom of movement.
What do you think they make of Sir Jim Ratcliffe… pic.twitter.com/z3N5BFTsos
In the interview, Sir Jim said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was “maybe too nice”.
He added: “It’s a tough job, and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track.”
The Manchester United co-owner said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was an “intelligent man” with “good intentions”.
He added: “But in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir when Keir came in.
“I think it needs somebody who’s prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out.”
Sir Jim bought a minority share in Manchester United in late 2023 and his Ineos group has since taken control of football operations.
The billionaire has presided over a variety of contentious changes since becoming part of the ownership, with ticket pricing and availability causing particular anger among United fans.
A protest against the club’s owners – including for the first time towards Sir Jim as well as the Glazers – took place before Manchester United’s recent home game against Fulham.
