Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said he is "sorry that my choice or language has offended some people" after facing criticism for his claims that immigrants had "colonised" the UK.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the billionaire said: "I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth."
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer called his remarks "offensive and wrong" on Wednesday, and the Football Association said they were looking into the comments.
Starmer’s spokesman said on Thursday that it’s "absolutely right that Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for that language.”
Pressed on whether it went far enough, the official said: “It’s right that he’s apologised. It’s for Mr Ratcliffe to speak to his apology… It’s not for me."
Ratcliffe, who is the founder and chairman of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, made the initial comments during an interview with Sky News, where he added he believed immigration was "costing too much money".
Starmer called the comments “offensive and wrong", insisting "Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.“
Speaking on Thursday Chancellor Rachel Reeves also called the comments "disgusting" and said they "do not represent the views in modern Britain today."
In an interview with Sky News, the Ineos owner said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.
“I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”
He added: “If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you are going to have to do some things which are unpopular and show some courage.”
In the interview, Ratcliffe said the Prime Minister was “maybe too nice”.
He added: “It’s a tough job, and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track.”
The Manchester United co-owner said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was an “intelligent man” with “good intentions”.
He added: “But in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir when Keir came in. I think it needs somebody who’s prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has also joined those criticising Ratcliffe calling his comments "inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory", adding those who had spent "years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions" should be criticised instead.
“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 – including Manchester United FC," Mr Burnham said.
“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 and inflammatory and should be withdrawn.
“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city-region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.
“We appreciate their contribution as a city-region famous for the warmth of our welcome.
"If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”
United fan group The 1958 slammed Ratcliffe’s statement as "very ill advised" and "a total embarrassment"
"Commenting on the issues of our country while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax is bad enough," the statement added.
It continued: "If he cannot see the reasons why he’s unpopular then he is completely deluded. Completely out of touch with the core fan base that made our club what it is today.
"This is a worrying statement in so many ways and for all matchgoing supporters."
