Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe hit the headlines for his comments about the UK being “colonised” by immigrants.
John Barnes had his say on Good Morning Britain (Image: X/GMB)
Former England international footballer John Barnes has said he has no issue with the meat of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on immigration. Manchester United part-owner Ratcliffe claimed the United Kingdom had been “colonised” by immigrants this week. Supporters groups have issued their own responses following the comments made by the billionaire, while the club itself issued a statement on Thursday. Barnes, who was born in Jamaica and moved to England as a child, thinks Ratcliffe is justified in bringing up the issue, but disagreed with Nigel Farage.
“I have no issue with Jim Ratcliffe. I have no issue with his debate on immigration, that’s a valid debate to be had,” Barnes said on Good Morning Britain. “Of course, immigration brings lots of good, and of course when he talks about illegal immigration, that has to be addressed… I agree with him on that. The only thing I have an issue with was the word ‘colonised’. That is the only thing about this whole debate, because we have to have meaningful discussion on immigration, as to whether it’s good or it’s bad.”
Ratcliffe, in his Sky News interview, also described Nigel Farage as an “intelligent man.” Farage himself responded to the comments, saying he believed Ratcliffe was right.
Barnes contested the Reform UK leader’s take, though. “I agree with [Ratcliffe] on some points about immigration and we can have that discussion but as far as the colonisation part goes, that is completely wrong,” he added.
“For Nigel Farage to come and say yesterday, as I saw, that by the interpretation in the dictionary he agrees with him about England being colonised or Great Britain being colonised: No, the interpretation in the dictionary, the meaning in the dictionary actually states that it’s the domination, exploitation and control of an indigenous population by foreign entities, which is not happening here.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe forced Manchester United into a statement of their own distancing themselves from his comments (Image: Getty)
On Thursday, Ratcliffe issued a statement in reaction to the backlash which followed his initial interview. Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham are among the politicians to have called out the billionaire, who could now face FA punishment after an investigation was opened.
“I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth,” he said. “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.”
