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Sir Keir Starmer has strongly condemned remarks made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire co-owner of Manchester United, regarding immigration. Starmer described Ratcliffe’s comments as both “offensive and wrong,” following the businessman’s assertion that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants.” Ratcliffe, the founder of the global chemical giant Ineos, expressed his views during a Sky News interview, suggesting that the UK’s population increase and levels of immigration pose economic challenges. He also criticized the prime minister for being “too nice” to implement tough measures to stabilize the country’s economy.
The backlash was swift, with Sir Keir emphasizing Britain’s identity as a “proud, tolerant and diverse country” and urging Sir Jim to issue an apology. Downing Street echoed this sentiment, warning that such statements risk deepening divisions within the nation. Several supporter groups connected to Manchester United also voiced their disappointment. The Manchester United Supporters Trust highlighted the importance of inclusion and unity among fans, stating that leadership should foster belonging rather than alienate any section of the fanbase. Meanwhile, the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club expressed concern over the use of the word “colonised,” pointing out its association with far-right rhetoric that depicts migrants as invaders.
Additional organizations critical of Ratcliffe’s remarks included Show Racism the Red Card and Kick It Out, both urging football clubs to leverage their cultural influence to combat racism rather than inadvertently promote divisive narratives. The 1958 Group, another group of Manchester United supporters, described the comments as “very ill-advised” and highlighted the apparent contradiction of Ratcliffe commenting on national issues while residing in Monaco, known for its tax advantages. Speaking on his controversial stance, the 73-year-old businessman acknowledged that politicians must sometimes accept unpopularity to address major problems, drawing parallels to his restructuring of Manchester United. Since obtaining a 27.7% stake in 2024, Ratcliffe has enacted significant changes at the club, including over 400 redundancies and managerial shifts, decisions he defends as necessary despite their unpopularity.
Ratcliffe also commented on the challenges faced by the prime minister, stressing the need for bold action to “get the big issues sorted out” in the UK. He remarked on a recent meeting with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, praising him as an “intelligent man” with “good intentions,” and drew comparisons with Sir Keir Starmer regarding the need for unpopular but decisive leadership. Farage responded by reaffirming his party’s position on immigration, contrasting it with Labour’s stance. Furthermore, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized Ratcliffe’s comments as “totally wrong” and “out of step with British values,” echoing calls for an apology. According to the Sunday Times Rich List, Ratcliffe was ranked as the seventh wealthiest person in the UK in 2025, with an estimated net worth of £17 billion, and has been based in Monaco since 2020, a jurisdiction notable for its absence of personal and capital gains taxes.
Sir Jim’s business ventures extend beyond chemicals, with Ineos supplying raw materials used in various everyday products from food packaging to mobile phones. In recent years, his commercial focus has shifted somewhat, including a discontinued effort to develop a new vehicle inspired by the Land Rover Defender and the acquisition of the premium motorcycle clothing brand Belstaff. Throughout, Ratcliffe maintains that addressing critical issues, whether in business or national policy, requires courage to undertake unpopular decisions
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