London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned comments by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe that Britain had been “colonised by immigrants,” calling them wrong and saying they would play into the hands of those seeking to divide the country.
Ratcliffe comments on immigration and economy
Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals company INEOS and owner of nearly a third of Manchester United, told Sky News that high migration and people living on benefits were damaging the economy.
“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,” Ratcliffe said in an interview aired on Wednesday.
“The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
Political and fan group criticism
Ratcliffe’s comments were condemned by politicians, campaigners and Manchester United fan groups, including its Muslim Supporters Club, which said the term “colonised” was frequently used by far-right activists to frame migrants as invaders.
“Public discourse shapes public behaviour,” the group said. “When influential figures adopt language that mirrors extremist talking points, it risks legitimising prejudice and deepening division.”
Others noted that Manchester United’s first team was largely made up of international players and staff, and questioned whether Ratcliffe should be commenting on British politics when he had moved to the tax haven Monaco.
Starmer and Burnham responses
Starmer said Britain was a proud, tolerant and diverse country and said Ratcliffe’s comments would threaten social ties, adding: “Jim Ratcliffe should immediately apologise”.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said Ratcliffe’s comments were inflammatory and should be withdrawn.
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