00:00Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologized on Thursday following comments he made that Britain had been colonized by immigrants.
00:09Ratcliffe's apology comes after his remarks triggered a backlash with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer slamming them as offensive
00:17and wrong.
00:18According to a statement conveying his apology, Ratcliffe said he was sorry that his choice of language has offended some
00:26people in the UK and Europe and caused concern.
00:30But he maintained it was important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.
00:39The billionaire gave his initial controversial comments to Sky News on Wednesday at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp.
00:46He claimed the UK population had grown from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million, figures that the UK Office
00:54for National Statistics has disputed.
00:57According to the UK Stats Office, the estimated population was 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid
01:06-2024.
01:07Downing Street condemned Ratcliffe's remarks, describing them as playing into, quote,
01:13the hands of those who want to divide our country, end of quote.
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