Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly called on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to apologise after the Manchester United co-owner said in a TV interview that the UK has been “colonised” by immigrants.
The comments, made on Sky News on Wednesday, have ignited political backlash and sparked fresh debate about migration, public service pressures and national identity.
The remarks have been condemned by Government officials and put pressure on business figures linked with British institutions.
What Exactly Did Sir Jim Ratcliffe Say?
In an interview broadcast this week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire Industrialist and co-owner of Manchester United, described the UK as having been “colonised by immigrants”, linking rising population numbers to immigration and economic strain.
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in… The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
His comments were framed around concerns about public finances and demographic change.
Why this matters:
- The remarks touch on sensitive political issues of immigration and national identity in a general election year.
- They place a high-profile business figure at the centre of a potentially divisive national debate.
- Ratcliffe’s influential roles in business and football mean his words carry weight for audiences beyond politics.
What Did Sir Keir Starmer Say?
Sir Keir Starmer responded swiftly on X (formerly Twitter), calling Ratcliffe’s remarks “offensive and wrong.” “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.” Sir Keir Starmer
Offensive and wrong.
Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.
Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.https://t.co/7mSnVV33oo
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 11, 2026
Downing Street reinforced the message, urging Ratcliffe to “immediately” apologise, warning that his comments “play into the hands of those who want to divide our country”.
What Was Said About the UK’s Population Figures?
The controversy partly stems from Ratcliffe’s discussion of demographic figures.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) Estimates:
| Timeframe | UK Population (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Mid-2000 | 58.9 million |
| Mid-2020 | 67.0 million |
| Mid-2024 | 70.0 million |
ONS data shows the UK’s population has increased over the past two decades, but figures do not show that growth is solely due to immigration. Ratcliffe’s reference to a “colonised” UK has been widely criticised for oversimplifying complex demographic trends.
What Else Did Ratcliffe Say in the Interview?
Ratcliffe also criticised the Prime Minister’s leadership style, suggesting Sir Keir might be “too nice” to deliver difficult choices for the economy.
He mentioned meeting Nigel Farage, saying: “I think Nigel is an intelligent man… But in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir Starmer.”
This unusually frank exchange between a significant business leader and senior politicians has widened the story beyond immigration into broader concerns about leadership and economic direction.
How Does This Connect to Manchester United?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Profile:
- Co-owner and key decision-maker at Manchester United since late 2023.
- Ineos, his company, controls football operations at the club.
His leadership at Old Trafford has already drawn fan controversy, especially over ticket pricing, staffing changes, and managerial turnover, including the departures of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
While his Sky News comments were about national issues, critics argue they reflect the same blunt style that has made him unpopular with some United supporters.
