British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United and the UK’s seventh-wealthiest individual, has ignited widespread controversy after asserting that Britain faces “colonisation by immigrants” during a Sky News interview. The Monaco-based industrialist made these remarks while discussing immigration policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, employing significantly inaccurate demographic statistics to support his argument.
Ratcliffe claimed the UK population had surged from 58 million to 70 million since 2020—a figure contradicted by Office for National Statistics data showing the actual 2020 population was approximately 67 million, with the century’s beginning mark near 58 million. The billionaire’s characterization prompted immediate condemnation from political leadership, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer who denounced the comments as “offensive and wrong” while reaffirming Britain’s identity as “a proud, tolerant and diverse country.”
Facing mounting criticism, Ratcliffe issued a partial apology on Thursday expressing regret for his “choice of language” that “offended some people,” while maintaining the necessity of discussing “controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.” The apology failed to quell discontent within his own football organization, where supporters groups including the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club accused him of employing “language frequently used in far-right narratives.”
The controversy has extended into political dimensions with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage defending Ratcliffe’s underlying concern about “unprecedented mass immigration,” creating a stark contrast with Labour’s position. The Football Association has initiated review proceedings to determine whether Ratcliffe’s comments brought the sport into disrepute, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham characterized the remarks as “inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory.”
Ratcliffe subsequently clarified that his comments emerged from a discussion about UK policy priorities, emphasizing the need for governments to “manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs” to ensure widespread prosperity. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration discourse in British society and the complex intersection of sports ownership, political expression, and public accountability.