Starmer Condemns Ratcliffe’s Immigration Tirade

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, after the INEOS chairman claimed the UK had been “colonised” by 12 million immigrants since 2020.

In a brief statement on X, formerly Twitter, Starmer called on the billionaire to apologise for his “offensive and wrong” remarks. Ratcliffe has today stated on INEOS’ website that he is “sorry” he “offended some people”, but still believes “it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration.”

In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, Ratcliffe claimed the massive - and entirely incorrect - population growth was “costing too much money” for the British taxpayer.

“The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?” said the 73-year-old, who emigrated to Monaco in 2020. “I mean, the population of the UK in 2020 was 58 million, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”

Per the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK had an estimated 66.7 million people in 2020, which grew to 69.5 million in 2025. Provisional net migration figures at the end of 2024 sat at just 345,000.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, was also quick to call out the pharmaceuticals mogul, issuing a press release calling Ratcliffe’s message “inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory.”

Show Racism the Red Card, one of the UK’s most prominent anti-discrimination charities, stated they were “deeply concerned” by the Red Devils’ owner’s comments, saying his comments “reinforce harmful stereotypes” about immigrants.

“A total lack of understanding”

Sports journalist and Manchester United fan Luca Jarman pulled no punches in his assessment of Ratcliffe’s statements.

“I think what Ratcliffe said was disgraceful,” said Jarman. “It shows a total lack of understanding about the importance of immigrants to the culture and economy of the UK.

“Manchester United isn’t just a British club; it’s international. It has players, coaches, staff members and fans from all over the world who love the club - they’re crucial to its past and potential future success.”

Manchester United Football Club have been approached for comment.