Michelle Dewberry fumes at Keir Starmer over Jim Ratcliffe apology demand amid 'colonisation' comment row: 'Trotting out mantras!'

In his interview with Sky News, Sir Jim 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."

He continued: "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 Office for National Statistics estimates put the UK population at around 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024.

The UK population was estimated at 58.9 million in 2000.

Mr Ratcliffe, who is a Monaco resident, argued that tackling immigration and welfare would require politicians willing to make “unpopular” decisions.

He said: "I don't know whether it's just the apparatus that hasn't allowed Keir to do it or, or he's maybe too nice - I mean, Keir is a nice man.

"I like him, but it's a tough job, and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track, because at the moment I don't think the economy is in a good state."

Sharing a link to the interview on X, Sir Keir condemned Sir Jim and demanded the billionaire apologise.

“Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise," he penned.

Social media quickly erupted with debate over the comments, with many criticising the Prime Minister for his take.

Hi @Keir_Starmer I think you’ll find scores of people agree with him.

Instead of constantly trotting out mantras about how “diversity is our strength” & demanding apologies from those who disagree - why don’t you go and talk to people and truly try to understand their view on… https://t.co/R99NDqzhvg

— Michelle Dewberry (@MichelleDewbs) February 11, 2026

Michelle quickly responded to the Prime Minister's comments, posting on X: “Hi @Keir_Starmer. I think you’ll find scores of people agree with him."

She continued: "Instead of constantly trotting out mantras about how ‘diversity is our strength’ & demanding apologies from those who disagree - why don’t you go and talk to people and truly try to understand their view on what you and others have done to their communities….”

The presenter's comments prompted a flood of responses from supporters.

“He doesn’t care. He’s had the same opinions since sixth form college," one person wrote, while another penned: "Britain is proud. No longer tolerant. And diversity is our weakness.”

A further commenter said: “I think it's gone beyond discussion now Michelle. He's got to go.” (sic)

Reform UK leader and GB News presenter Nigel Farage also shared Sir Keir's post, saying: “Britain has undergone unprecedented mass immigration that has changed the character of many areas in our country. Labour may try to ignore that but Reform won’t.”

However, there was some support for the Labour leader. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended Britain’s record as a diverse nation, saying migration had been “too high” under the Conservatives but adding she was “really proud that Britain is a diverse and tolerant country that is strengthened by waves of immigration”.

Liberal Democrat leader also sided with the PM, taking to his own X page to similarly demand an apology from the Man United co-owner.

Elsewhere, several other GB News stars echoed Michelle's stance. Patrick Christys even went as far as to call for Sir Keir to apologise for demanding Sir Jim say sorry.

Meanwhile, Alex Armstrong hit out: "The Prime Minister has no place telling private citizens what they should say or think.

"It’s not like Starmer is in a position to lecture anyone on being 'wrong' nor should he advise on making apologies."