KIER STARMER SAYS MANCHESTER UNITED OWNER SIR JIM RATCLIFFE SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR 'OFFENSIVE AND WRONG' IMMIGRATION COMMENTS

The billionaire said earlier 'the UK has been colonised by immigrants'

Sir Keir Starmer called on the United co-owner to apologise(Image: PA)

The Prime Minister has said Sir Jim Ratcliffe should apologise for his 'offensive and wrong' comments about immigration. Earlier today the Manchester United co-owner said 'the UK has been colonised by immigrants'.

The billionaire, who is founder and chairman of one of the world's largest chemical companies, Ineos, said politicians needed to 'do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track'.

In an interview with Sky News, the Ineos owner said: "You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK is being colonised. It's costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants."

But in a post on X tonight Sir Keir Starmer called on Sir Jim to apologise. Sharing a link to the interview, the PM wrote: "Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise."

In the interview, Sir Jim also said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was 'maybe too nice'. He added: "It's a tough job, and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track."

The Manchester United co-owner said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was an 'intelligent man' with 'good intentions'.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the UK was 'being colonised by immigrants'(Image: PA)

He added: "But in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir when Keir came in. I think it needs somebody who's prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out."

Sir Jim bought a minority share in Manchester United in late 2023 and his Ineos group has since taken control of football operations. The billionaire has presided over a variety of contentious changes since becoming part of the ownership, with ticket pricing and availability causing particular anger among United fans.

A protest against the club's owners – including for the first time towards Sir Jim as well as the Glazers – took place before Manchester United's recent home game against Fulham.

- Damon Wilkinson