Jim Ratcliffe expresses regret for wording that caused offence following UK colonisation by immigrants claim
Downing Street has called for an apology from Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe over his claim that the UK is being “colonised” by migrants, as detailed by The Guardian. The prime minister’s spokesperson said the language was offensive, and justice minister Jake Richards escalated the criticism, labelling the comments “absurd” and suggesting hypocrisy given Ratcliffe’s move to Monaco to save tax.
Ratcliffe’s Statement and Context
Jim Ratcliffe issued a statement saying he was sorry that his comment “offended some people” but defended the need for an “open debate” on immigration. He said his remarks were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European industry summit in Antwerp, where he was discussing economic growth, jobs, skills, and manufacturing. Ratcliffe stated his intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry, and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared.
Political and Union Reactions
The Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the comments were “totally wrong” and “out of step with British values,” demanding an apology. The Green Party’s byelection candidate Hannah Spencer called them “disgusting and racist,” challenging Ratcliffe to meet residents in her constituency. Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, said the comments were “inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory” and should be withdrawn, adding that Ratcliffe had been “siphoning wealth” from Manchester United with “little contribution” to the city. The GMB union’s national secretary Andy Prendergast said the remarks were “crass and insensitive,” highlighting Ratcliffe’s tax avoidance and mass dismissals at the club. In contrast, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage defended Ratcliffe, stating that Britain has undergone “unprecedented mass immigration.” Conservative shadow chancellor Mel Stride said he wouldn’t use the term “colonised” as it is “pejorative,” but acknowledged public concern over migration levels.
The Football Association will look at whether Ratcliffe brought the game into disrepute through his claims.
Uncertainty Over Cabinet Secretary
The prime minister’s spokesperson refused to confirm the status of cabinet secretary Chris Wormald, declining to say whether he is still in post or if Antonia Romeo is being lined up as a replacement, describing reports as “speculative.” Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch urged Keir Starmer to delay Wormald’s departure so he can oversee the release of government documents related to Peter Mandelson’s time as ambassador to the US, warning that a change amidst a scandal could compromise impartiality. Sir Simon McDonald, former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, urged No 10 to do “more due diligence” on Romeo’s appointment. A government source defended Romeo as a “disrupter” who fights against a “computer says no culture” in the civil service.
Government Compliance with Parliamentary Motion
Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward told MPs the government will comply “fully” with last week’s humble address requiring the release of papers on Mandelson’s ambassadorship, publishing documents “as soon as possible.” He said departments have been instructed to retain relevant material, and where documents may be prejudicial to national security or international relations, they will be referred to the independent intelligence and security committee. The Commons is on a half-term recess, returning on Monday week.
Keir Starmer’s approval ratings, while “dire” according to Ipsos, have improved in YouGov polling, with his net favourability up 10 points since January to -47; the fieldwork was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday after he faced down a leadership threat. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the government needs to act more like a “Labour government,” focusing on redistributing power and not just wealth, and “wearing our colours on our sleeves.” Official data showed the UK economy expanded by 0.1% in the final three months of last year.
Downing Street’s agenda for the day included NHS England publishing performance figures, chancellor Rachel Reeves visiting a training centre, health secretary Wes Streeting visiting a Manchester hospital, and the government publishing its representation of the people bill to lower the voting age to 16.
