Jim Ratcliffe's shameful remarks were condemned by the Prime Minister, Manchester United fans and residents of the council estate where he spent the early years of his childhood
Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologised for his comments
Sir Jim Ratcliffe at centre of a storm(Image: PA)
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Manchester United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologised for claiming the UK was "colonised by immigrants" as anti-racism groups said that he had taken "the battering he deserved". Ratcliffe's shameful remarks were condemned by the Prime Minister, Man United fans and residents of the council estate where he spent the early years of his childhood. The FA was understood to be examining whether his comments to Sky News had brought the game into disrepute.
Ratcliffe, 73, who has a £17billion fortune, said: "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.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe under fire after his remarks about immigration
Sir Jim Ratcliffe Man Utd part owner(Image: PA)
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"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."
In the original interview, he had said: "You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. The UK has been colonised. It's costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn't it?
"The population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it's 70 million. That's 12 million people."
Ged Grebby pictured at the Linskill Centre in North Shields
Ged Grebby of Show Racism the Red Card said the apology from the Man Utd owner was 'not enough'(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
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In fact, it had only grown by 2.7m. Ged Grebby, chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, said the tycoon had ignored the benefits of immigration and was not really apologising at all. "I think he has taken the battering he deserved," he said.
"He has said that he is sorry if he offended some people and that is not really an apology and also does not address the main issue - that he said that the UK had been colonised by immigration.
"It implies a takeover of the UK in language used by the Far Right. It is that he needs to apologise for. We welcome people saying sorry, it is all about rehabilitation; but this is not a proper apology. He has not addressed the problems he has created for Manchester Utd football club."
His influence "should be used to challenge racism, not inadvertently amplify narratives that undermine community harmony", he added, while Kick It Out said the comments were "disgraceful and deeply divisive".
Meanwhile residents on Dunkerley Avenue in Failsworth, Greater Manchester - the modest street where Sir Jim lived until he was 10 - were also critical of his views. Rob Cosgrove, 62, lives just a couple of doors down from Sir Jim's former home.
Rob Cosgrove, 62, lives a few doors down from where Jim Ratcliffe used to live when he was younger, in Failsworth, Manchester
Rob Cosgrove lives in the street with Ratcliffe spent his early years(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
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He said: "I disagree with him. Immigrants make a country. You could argue countries like America have been built on immigrants.
"People bring their cultures, habits and customs - and it makes the country richer. He's betraying his roots. I can't understand how someone who grew up in Failsworth can have views like that."
Sir Jim, now one of Britain's richest men, lived there before building chemicals giant INEOS and buying a stake in Manchester United. Mr Cosgrove said the comments jar: "It's inflammatory and it's certainly not doing any good at the moment. It's a bit rich when he's living in Monaco to avoid paying tax in the country. I think he's out of order for saying that."
He added: "It's damaging for Failsworth. People shouldn't get the idea that Failsworth is a hotbed for the right wing. It's good to see that the United fan groups have condemned his remarks."
Responding to his comments about welfare, another resident added: "People's situations have become very difficult and they've been forced to go on benefits, they're just trying to survive."
A view of Dunkerley Avenue in Failsworth, Manchester, which is where Jim Ratcliffe once lived.
The street where Ratcliffe lived as a child in Manchester(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
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Others agreed with Sir Jim's views. But Mr Starmer’s spokesman said it was right that he apologised. They told reporters: “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. “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.”
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, branded the migration rant "inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory" and against everything the city stands for. In a scathing statement, Mr Burnham said: “Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another.
“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city-region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester's NHS and other essential services and industries. If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions."
The billionaire is ranked the seventh wealthiest person in Britain in the Sunday Times's rich list, with a £17billion fortune. Justice minister Jake Richards branded the language "offensive", and told Times Radio that Ratcliffe didn't even live in the UK.
He added: “Let’s be very clear that Jim Ratcliffe’s comments were both offensive in terms of the language used, and he got his facts wrong. There’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save £4 billion in tax is now lecturing us about immigration. There’s something that I find slightly hypocritical about that.”
Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club warned Ratcliffe had echoed language 'frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats".
Its co-founder and club secretary Asif Mahmud said: "We are very upset. There was quite a bit of shock in our membership base. They are not the comments you expect from the co-owner of Man Utd.
"Colonisation has a lot of strong meanings. It is not the right word. We appreciate there are legitimate debates around immigration and illegal immigration. But using words like that just stokes the flames.
"That word is used by the far right. We did not expect it from the co-owner of Manchester United."
The club's Supporters Trust added: "No fan should feel excluded from following or supporting the club because of their race, religion, nationality or background. Comments from the club's senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder.
"This is not about politics; it is about ensuring that the custodians of Manchester United act in a way that unites supporters rather than marginalising any part of our fanbase."