Nigel Farage has launched a sharp rebuke against Sir Keir Starmer following the Prime Minister’s demand that Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologise for claiming Britain had been “colonised” by migrants.

The Reform UK leader accused the Labour government of turning a blind eye to the scale of demographic change across the country.

“Britain has undergone unprecedented mass immigration that has changed the character of many areas in our country,” Mr Farage declared.

“Labour may try to ignore that but Reform won’t.”

The row erupted following an interview in which the Indeos founder made controversial statements about immigration levels and their impact on public finances.

Speaking to Sky News at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Sir Jim warned that Britain faces serious political, social and economic challenges, with immigration levels being a central concern.

“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” the chemicals tycoon stated. “I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money.”

The Manchester United part-owner went further, claiming: “The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman confirmed that Downing Street was satisfied with the apology that followed.

They told reporters: “The Prime Minister asked for an apology, and one’s been issued, and it’s absolutely right that Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for that language.”

Downing Street maintained that while serious discussion about immigration policy was welcome, Sir Jim’s original comments were “inflammatory and divisive.”

In his statement, Sir Jim said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth,”

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The billionaire explained his remarks were made during discussions about economic growth, jobs and manufacturing at the Antwerp summit, adding: “It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”

The political fallout drew responses from across the spectrum. Chancellor Rachel Reeves took a far harsher view, describing the comments as “unacceptable” and “disgusting, frankly.”

Despite her criticism, Ms Reeves indicated the government would continue supporting Sir Jim’s businesses at Grangemouth and Runcorn, stating she would not “let what Jim Ratcliffe has said determine the future of jobs in Scotland.”

The Chancellor emphasised that Britain “benefits hugely from its diversity” across business, universities and cultural life.

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride offered a more nuanced Conservative response, rejecting the term “colonised” as “pejorative” while acknowledging that “migration has been too high for too long.”

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper also called for an apology, describing Sir Jim’s language as “wholly inappropriate.”

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “Let’s see him and fellow business leaders step up and help fix the country.

“We need their skills. In particular they need to replace the senior bureaucrats who have failed.”