Starmer calls for apology from Man Utd co-owner after 'offensive' remarks to Sky News

The prime minister has condemned Sir Jim Ratcliffe's "offensive and wrong" remarks about immigration.

The Manchester United co-owner, one of Britain's richest men but a resident of tax-free Monaco, told Sky News that Britain had been "colonised" by immigrants who are draining resources from the state.

"You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in," he said.

"I mean, the UK has been colonised. It's costing too much money.

"The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn't it?"

In a post on X responding to the interview, Sir Keir Starmer said: "Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise."

Sir Jim, the founder of the INEOS chemicals group, also claimed to Sky's economics and data editor Ed Conway immigration had pushed the country's population from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million in 2026.

The Office for National Statistics estimates the population of the UK was 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024. It was estimated at 58.9 million in 2000.

Read more: Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

Sir Jim said the government needed a leader "prepared to be unpopular for a period" to address Britain's issues, suggesting Sir Keir, while "a nice man", might not be the right man for the top job.

He said he had met recently with Nigel Farage, describing him as "intelligent" with "good intentions".

The Reform UK leader later backed his remarks about immigration, telling Sky News: "The country has undergone unprecedented mass immigration that has changed the character of many areas in the country.

"Labour may try and ignore that but Reform won't."

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Speaking before Sir Keir's intervention, Sports Secretary Lisa Nandy told Matt Barbet on Sky's Politics Hub that immigration had been too high, especially under Boris Johnson's government.

But she said the government was investing in more opportunities for British youngsters, and declared: "My dad comes from an immigrant background. I want your viewers to know that I am really proud that Britain is a diverse and tolerant country that is strengthened by waves of immigration."

'Disgraceful and divisive'

The prime minister's criticism has been widely echoed by football and anti-racism groups.

The Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club accused Sir Jim of risking "legitimising prejudice and deepening division", saying it was "deeply concerned" by his rhetoric.

"The term 'colonised' is not neutral. It echoes language frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats," said a statement.

"Such rhetoric has real-world consequences," it added, and pointed out United has "players, staff and supporters from every background, faith, and ethnicity".

Football's anti-discrimination body Kick It Out labelled Sir Jim's comments "disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together".

Its damning statement added: "This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same."

Charity Show Racism the Red Card also said it was "deeply concerned" by the remarks, and said public figures should use their platform to "challenge racism, not inadvertently amplify narratives that undermine community harmony".

(c) Sky News 2026: Starmer calls for apology from Man Utd co-owner after 'offensive' remarks to Sky News