Jim Ratcliffe apologises over claims Britain is colonised by migrants as backlash intensifies

He added: "It is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth."

Sir Jim was met with major backlash from politicians, with Sir Keir Starmer calling on him to apologise.

Sir Jim added: "My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.

"My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone.

"It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK."

GB News understands the Football Association will examine whether Sir Jim's initial comments "brought the game into disrepute" and breached regulations.

Football anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has already condemned the comments.

They said: "Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together.

"In addition to the inaccurate figures mentioned, it’s worth reminding him that Manchester United has a diverse fan base and plays in a city whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants.

"This type of language and leadership has no place in English football and we believe most fans will feel the same."

Sir Mel Stride criticised the businessman’s claims, while acknowledging people’s concerns around "too high” migration.

The Shadow Chancellor said: "I wouldn’t use that term colonised. I think it’s pejorative and suggests there’s some kind of huge negativity around the motivations of those people that come here.

"I don’t think that’s the case across the piece.

"But he is referencing something that is of great concern to millions of people up and down the country, that migration has been too high for too long."

However Sir Jim was praised by former Prime Minister Liz Truss and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Ms Truss said: "Let's see him and fellow business leaders step up and help fix the country. We need their skills. In particular they need to replace the senior bureaucrats who have failed."

Responding to the Prime Minister's call for Sir Jim to apologise, Mr Farage said: "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."