Ratcliffe's immigration rant labelled 'offensive and wrong'

BILLIONAIRE Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced fierce criticism from leading politicians over comments about immigration into the UK.

- JUSTIN SETTERFIELD

The founder of chemical giant Ineos said the UK “has been colonised by immigrants” and called for the Government to act.

In an interview with Sky News 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 is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”

However, the comments sparked controversy and were heavily criticised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and football campaign group Kick It Out.

The 73-year-old later apologised that his language “offended some people in the UK and Europe”.