Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been criticized by a government minister for being “hypocritical” in his remarks about immigration to the UK, considering he relocated to Monaco to lower his tax burden. Justice minister Jake Richards took issue with the comments made by the part-owner of Manchester United, where Sir Jim lamented the influx of immigrants into the UK and the number of individuals reliant on benefits. Despite residing in tax-free Monaco, Sir Jim voiced concerns about the high levels of immigration and welfare dependency in the UK, ranking as the seventh wealthiest person in Britain according to the Sunday Times rich list with a fortune of £17 billion.
In response, Mr. Richards condemned the offensive language used by Sir Jim, highlighting that he doesn’t even reside in the UK. While acknowledging the right to express opinions, Mr. Richards, along with the Prime Minister, found the language offensive and refuted the notion of the UK being “colonised” by immigrants. Mr. Richards emphasized the importance of addressing immigration levels and integration challenges within the scope of the migration debate.
Mr. Richards further criticized Sir Jim for his perceived hypocrisy in lecturing on immigration matters after moving to Monaco to save a substantial sum in taxes. Sir Jim’s comments on the economic impact of high levels of immigration and welfare recipients were rebuked by the Prime Minister and other officials. The population statistics cited by Sir Jim were found to be inaccurate, with the UK’s population estimated at 67.1 million in mid-2020 and 69.3 million in 2024, significantly higher than the 58 million figure from 2000.
Following the backlash, the Prime Minister condemned Sir Jim’s remarks as offensive, urging an apology. Opposition leader Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Britain’s diversity and demanding an apology from Sir Jim. Kick It Out, football’s anti-discrimination body, labeled Sir Jim’s comments as “disgraceful” and unfit for English football, citing the enriching cultural contributions of immigrants to cities like Manchester where teams like Manchester United have diverse fan bases.
Throughout Reach and its affiliates, data collected via cookies and other identifiers are utilized to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and provide personalized advertising. Users can opt out of data sharing by clicking the designated button on the webpage. By using the site and services, users consent to the use of cookies as detailed in the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.