'My intention was to say governments must manage migration'

JIM Ratcliffe has insisted Britain must “maintain an open debate” on migration as he apologised for claiming it has been “colonised by immigrants”.

- BY MICHAEL KNOWLES

The billionaire part-owner of Manchester United faced a fierce backlash for his comment, including from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

And yesterday Sir Jim said sorry for his “choice of language”.

But he added: “It is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.”

Sir Keir said the Ineos chemicals group chief’s original comment was “offensive and wrong”, while Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, branded the claims “inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory”.

However, Reform UK’s Suella Braverman, the former Tory Home Secretary, said Sir Jim was “right” and added: “Many areas of Britain are now totally unrecognisable.”