Billionaire businessman and minority owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has apologised after making controversial comments about immigration during an interview at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp.

As reported by newsmen, in a statement issued on Thursday, Ratcliffe said he was sorry that his choice of language had “offended some people” in the UK and Europe. However, he maintained that it is important to keep debate open on the challenges facing the country.

Ratcliffe’s remarks on Wednesday in a Tv interview sparked widespread backlash. He said:
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money.

“The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”

He also used incorrect figures to support his argument.

The comments were criticised by senior political and civic leaders. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as “offensive and wrong” and urged Ratcliffe to apologise.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also condemned the comments, saying they “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood.”

The Manchester United Supporters Trust criticised Ratcliffe’s remarks, adding that comments from the club’s senior leadership should promote inclusion rather than undermine it.

In his Thursday statement, Ratcliffe said he had been discussing UK policy and the need for economic growth, jobs, skills, and manufacturing.

He said his intention was to stress that migration must be managed alongside investment in skills and industry so that prosperity is shared by all.