Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper has joined the Prime Minister in demanding an apology from billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, after the Manchester United co-owner claimed the UK has been “colonised” by immigrants.

The row erupted following an interview with Sky News, in which the Ineos founder suggested the British economy was being crippled by “huge levels” of migration and a benefits system supporting nine million people.

Speaking on the fallout, Daisy Cooper was clear that Sir Jim’s rhetoric crossed a line.

She told GB News: “Yes, I think he should [apologise]. Whether people have concerns about immigration or not, we can debate those. But that kind of language is wholly inappropriate, and I think he should apologise.

GB News Home and Security Editor Mark White said: “At the end of the day, this is the kind of story the Westminster classes become very, very obsessed with one word here.

“You can absolutely argue it was a clumsy choice of words. But is it really worthy of the Prime Minister immediately tweeting and demanding an apology?”

“There is a wider issue here that people across the country genuinely care about.”

Ms Cooper responded: “Well, look, I think language matters. And I think it’s right that the Prime Minister has asked him to apologise.

“It’s also right that a good Prime Minister and a good Government should be able to pat their head and rub their tummy, to do more than one thing at once.

“So yes, it’s right that the Prime Minister has asked for an apology.

“But it shouldn’t consume so much oxygen in the political debate that it stops the Prime Minister focusing on other priorities like growing the economy, tackling the cost of living, and fixing the NHS.”

Sir Jim made the remarks in an interview with Sky News on the sidelines of the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium.

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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 added.

Sir Jim cited incorrect figures to back up his claim, telling Sky: “I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”

His comments prompted swift backlash from several supporters’ groups, including the Manchester United Supporters Trust, which posted on X: “No fan should feel excluded from supporting the club because of their race, religion, nationality or background. Comments from senior leadership should bring people together, not make inclusion harder.

“This isn’t about politics — it’s about ensuring the custodians of Manchester United act in a way that unites supporters rather than alienating sections of our fanbase.”

The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club said it was “deeply concerned”, arguing that the word “colonised” is “not neutral”.

“It echoes rhetoric often seen in far-right narratives that portray migrants as invaders and demographic threats,” the group added.

Anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card said football clubs hold significant cultural influence that “should be used to challenge racism, not inadvertently reinforce narratives that damage community harmony”.

Campaign group Kick It Out branded the remarks “disgraceful and deeply divisive”.

Meanwhile, the 1958 Group described the comments as “very ill-advised” and took aim at Sir Jim for “commenting on the issues of our country while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax.”