British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has issued an apology after his recent remarks on immigration sparked criticism from political leaders and members of the public.
Speaking on Thursday, Ratcliffe said he regretted the wording he used when discussing immigration, acknowledging that his comments had caused offence in the UK and across Europe. The businessman had come under fire after stating that the country had been “colonised by immigrants,” a phrase that drew a sharp response from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement, Ratcliffe said he was sorry that his “choice of language” had upset people and led to concern, but maintained that the wider issue of immigration policy should still be openly discussed. He stressed the importance of having a “controlled and well-managed” immigration system, arguing that such an approach is necessary to support long-term economic growth.
The comments come amid an increasingly heated national debate over immigration, with political leaders and business figures offering differing views on how the UK should balance border control with the needs of its economy. Photo by Science History Institute, Wikimedia commons.