Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Comments on Immigration Cause Upset

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who co-owns Manchester United, recently said the UK has been "colonised by immigrants." These comments have made many people unhappy, including political leaders and fan groups. They are asking him to say sorry.
By Newsroom | UK News, Business |

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire businessman and co-owner of Manchester United, has ignited a political storm following comments made in a recent Sky News interview. Ratcliffe stated that the United Kingdom has been "colonised by immigrants" and suggested that the country faces profound political, social, and economic challenges due to immigration and people opting for state benefits over work. These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and various supporter groups associated with Manchester United. The controversy also brings renewed scrutiny to Ratcliffe's personal tax arrangements.

Background and Sequence of Events

The statements that have triggered the widespread condemnation were made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe during an interview with Sky News's Ed Conway, held on the fringes of the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium. In the interview, Ratcliffe asserted, "I mean, the UK has been colonised," and linked this to issues of immigration and people choosing benefits over employment. He also claimed the UK's population had risen from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million, a figure contradicted by official statistics.

Read More: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Says Sorry for Immigration Words

Jim Ratcliffe: Ministers go to war against Man Utd boss on his tax affairs and UK 'colonised by immigrants' remark - 1

The timeline of these events unfolds as follows:

  • Recent Interview: Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives an interview to Sky News in Antwerp.

  • Public Reaction: Reports of the interview and Ratcliffe's comments begin to emerge.

  • Political Denouncements: Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other government ministers condemn Ratcliffe's remarks.

  • Calls for Apology: Political figures and fan groups demand that Ratcliffe issue an apology.

  • Support from Some Quarters: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage publicly supports Ratcliffe.

  • Renewed Scrutiny: Ratcliffe's tax affairs and decision to reside in Monaco are highlighted by critics.

Key Statements and Contradictions

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's remarks have been met with significant pushback, particularly concerning the accuracy of his demographic claims and the phrasing of his statements.

  • "Colonised by Immigrants": This central assertion has been widely described as "offensive and wrong" by political leaders.

  • Population Statistics: Ratcliffe claimed the UK population had grown from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million. However, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that the UK population was approximately 67 million in 2020, and had not been close to 58 million since 2000.

  • Economic Commentary: Ratcliffe linked immigration with people taking state benefits rather than working, stating, "You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in."

Political and Social Repercussions

The controversy has drawn strong reactions from across the political spectrum and from groups directly linked to Manchester United.

Read More: UK Economy Grew a Little at End of 2025

Jim Ratcliffe: Ministers go to war against Man Utd boss on his tax affairs and UK 'colonised by immigrants' remark - 2

Criticism from Political Leaders

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been a prominent critic, stating that Ratcliffe's comments were "offensive and wrong" and demanding an apology. Justice minister Jake Richards also questioned Ratcliffe's stance, noting his move to Monaco for tax purposes, asking, "One might question whether he is the patriot that we need to comment on this issue."

"Offensive and wrong. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise." - Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, via X.

"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." - Jake Richards, Justice Minister.

Manchester United Fan Groups' Response

Several Manchester United supporter groups have voiced their disapproval of Ratcliffe's comments, expressing concerns about the impact on the club's global image and inclusive values.

Read More: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Says Sorry for Immigration Remarks

Jim Ratcliffe: Ministers go to war against Man Utd boss on his tax affairs and UK 'colonised by immigrants' remark - 3

  • The Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club accused Ratcliffe of fueling "far-right hate speech" and risking "legitimising prejudice and deepening division."

  • The Manchester United Supporters Trust stated that "Comments from the club's senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder."

  • The anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out affirmed there was "no place" for such views in English football.

"Manchester United is a global club built on diversity – on players, staff and supporters from every background, faith and ethnicity." - Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club.

Support for Ratcliffe

Amidst the backlash, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed support for Ratcliffe, describing him as an "intelligent man" with "good intentions." Ratcliffe himself had recently met with Farage, whom he also referred to as "intelligent."

Ratcliffe's Business and Tax Circumstances

The public criticism of Ratcliffe's immigration remarks has been amplified by discussions surrounding his business activities and personal tax arrangements. He founded the chemicals giant Ineos and relocated to Monaco in 2020, a move that has drawn attention due to the tax advantages. Reports indicate that Ineos received substantial UK state aid, approximately £120 million, in the previous year.

Read More: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Says Sorry for Immigration Comments

Jim Ratcliffe: Ministers go to war against Man Utd boss on his tax affairs and UK 'colonised by immigrants' remark - 4

Expert and Analytical Perspectives

Commentary from various sources highlights the complexity of Ratcliffe's statements and the broader context.

  • Statistical Inaccuracies: Official data from the Office for National Statistics directly refutes Ratcliffe's population figures, suggesting a lack of precise factual grounding for his claims.

  • Inconsistent Positioning: Critics point to the perceived incongruity of a billionaire who has structured his affairs to minimise tax liability in the UK offering strong opinions on immigration and national issues. This raises questions about his standing to lecture on such matters.

  • Impact on Football: The integration of such comments within the context of a globally diverse sports club like Manchester United is seen as particularly problematic by fan groups and anti-discrimination bodies.

Conclusion and Emerging Issues

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent public statements on immigration have precipitated a significant wave of criticism from political figures and key Manchester United supporter groups. The core of the controversy lies in his assertion that the UK has been "colonised by immigrants," coupled with statistically questionable claims about population growth and perceived links to benefit dependency.

Read More: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Called Hypocrite for Immigration Comments

The political ramifications are evident in the Prime Minister's direct condemnation and calls for an apology. Simultaneously, the comments have exposed a rift between Ratcliffe's viewpoints and the inclusive ethos championed by Manchester United, as articulated by various fan organizations. Furthermore, his personal financial arrangements, including his residence in Monaco and the receipt of UK state aid by his company, have become a focal point of critical scrutiny, leading some to question his suitability to comment on national issues. The situation suggests an ongoing need to reconcile business interests, public pronouncements, and their reception within a diverse societal framework.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Sir Jim Ratcliffe say?
He said that the UK has been "colonised by immigrants" and that this causes problems for the country. He also made some claims about population numbers that were not correct.
Q: Who is unhappy with his comments?
Many people are unhappy, including the Prime Minister and groups who support Manchester United. They think his words are wrong and offensive.
Q: What do people want him to do?
Many people want Sir Jim Ratcliffe to say sorry for his comments.
Q: Did anyone support him?
Yes, Nigel Farage from Reform UK said he supported Sir Jim Ratcliffe and called him an intelligent man.
Q: Why are people also talking about his money?
Some people are pointing out that Sir Jim Ratcliffe lives in Monaco to pay less tax, and his company has received money from the UK government. They question if he should be commenting on these issues.