Jim Ratcliffe apologises if 'colonisation' comments 'offended some people'
The co-owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised after comments he made about migrants sparked a furious backlash from the Government.
In a Sky News interview on Wednesday, Sir Jim said the UK had been ‘colonised’ by migrants, saying the UK population had grown by 12 million since 2020.
In fact, in that period, the UK population has grown by 2.8 million people, according to the Office for National Statistics.
But yesterday, after angry reactions from the Prime Minister, Mayor of Greater Manchester and several senior cabinet figures, Sir Jim said he was sorry his comments had ‘offended some people’.
In a statement released yesterday, 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.
“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.”
He added: “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 UK.”
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post in Barnsley shortly before the apology, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband said the comments were ‘grossly insulting, offensive and wrong.’
He said: “My parents came here as immigrants. They've made a contribution to the country, and I think to talk of colonisation is just appalling.
“I think the best of Britain is represented by people, including people who come here as immigrants, who make a contribution, who pay their taxes, and are part of the great country we are.
“I think that's the best of Britain, not a tax exile who chose to go and live in Monaco, and doesn't pay any taxes.
“I think it's really important that we, as a government, have chosen to call this out, because the easy thing to do is to let these remarks go by and normalise them.
“But the more we normalise them, I think the more we chip away, erode the diversity of Britain, the tolerance of Britain, and that's why we're calling it out.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was “right” that Sir Jim apologised for his “offensive and wrong” comments.
Sir Keir was among the first major political figures to have called on the businessman to apologise.
Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester said they “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood”.
Mr Burnham, who has backed plans driven by Sir Jim to regenerate Old Trafford and build a new stadium for Manchester United, also said “footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city region”.