Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised after describing the U.K. as having been “colonised” during a Sky News interview, a comment that drew a sharp rebuke from the prime minister and criticism from figures linked to Manchester United.<\/p>\n
On Sky News this week Ratcliffe said: “You can\u2019t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” the Lancashire-born Monaco resident told Sky News this week. “I mean, the U.K. has been colonised. It\u2019s costing too much money.<\/p>\n
“The U.K. has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn\u2019t it? I mean, the population of the U.K. was 58 million in 2020, now it\u2019s 70 million. That\u2019s 12 million people.”<\/p>\n
“Offensive and wrong,” was Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s response on X. “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.” From a factual point of view the prime minister noted official population figures: the U.K. was listed at 66.7 million in mid-2020 and is recorded at 69.5 million in the most recent Office for National Statistics data.<\/p>\n
Ratcliffe accepted the request to apologise, issuing a statement through INEOS that included: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the U.K. and Europe and caused concern but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth,” Ratcliffe said in a statement released by his global chemical company INEOS.<\/p>\n
He added: “My comments were made while answering questions about U.K. policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the U.K.<\/p>\n
“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 U.K.” <\/p>\n
The response to his remarks has been mixed. Some figures directly associated with Manchester United are said to be “outraged”, according to The Times, and the newspaper reports the legal department of the English Football Association is examining whether the comments are discriminatory or have brought the game into disrepute. <\/p>\n
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham criticised the language used, writing on X: “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\u2014including Manchester United FC,” he wrote on X.<\/p>\n
He added: “Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing, portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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