Monaco-based billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has apologised after claiming the UK is being “colonised” by immigrants, sparking widespread condemnation from politicians, football fans, and anti-racism campaigners. The petrochemicals magnate, who moved his tax domicile to Monaco in 2020, cited inaccurate population statistics during a Sky News interview, stating the UK population had risen from 58 million to 70 million, whereas official figures show it was 67 million in 2020 and last near 58 million in 2000.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the remarks “offensive and wrong”, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves described them as “disgusting”. Critics highlighted Ratcliffe’s hypocrisy, noting he saved an estimated £4bn in tax by relocating to Monaco, yet criticised immigrants and benefit claimants. Justice Minister Jake Richards said it was “offensive that this man who moved to Monaco to save £4bn in tax is now lecturing us about immigration”.
Manchester United issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to “equality, diversity and inclusion”, without naming Ratcliffe, while the Football Association is investigating whether his comments brought the game into disrepute. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham accused Ratcliffe of making “inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory” comments that were “against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood”.
In a heavily qualified apology, Ratcliffe said he was “sorry that my choice of language has offended some people”, but stopped short of retracting his views, insisting it was “important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration”. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak dismissed the apology, accusing Ratcliffe of hypocrisy over his tax arrangements.
