Manchester United Co-Owner ‘Colonised’ Immigration Remarks Spark Backlash

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced fierce criticism after claiming the UK has been “colonised by immigrants” in a televised interview.

Speaking to Sky News, the INEOS chairman said: “You can’t 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? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”

Office for National Statistics figures estimate the UK population at 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024.

Ratcliffe also suggested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is “maybe too nice” for the “tough job” ahead and must be prepared to “do some difficult things” and be “unpopular” to improve the country’s fortunes. While describing Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as an “intelligent” man “with good intentions,” he said Mr Starmer shares those traits.

The Prime Minister responded on X, writing: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”

The remarks drew condemnation from Manchester United supporter groups and anti-discrimination body Kick It Out, which said: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments are disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together.

“This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”

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