Christian academic and entrepreneur, Dr Krish Kandiah OBE, has urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying immigrants have “colonised” Britian.

Sir Jim, who lives in Monaco, claimed migration is “draining resources from the state”.

After backlash from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the co-owner of Manchester football club released a statement apologising for his “choice of language”.

Kandiah, who leads the Sanctuary Foundation, told Premier Christian News the initial remarks were fundamentally “untrue”.

"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,” read the statement.

"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,” added Sir Jim. “It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK."

“We have had high levels of migration in recent years,” he acknowledged. “But you’re far more likely to be served by an immigrant in A&E, than you are to be stuck in the queue behind one.

“Immigrants to the UK haven’t colonised; they haven't overthrown the government, they haven't extracted resources from our royal family. That is just unfair language.”

He added that much of Sir Jim’s own success could be partially attributed to people born outside of the UK: “Can you imagine Manchester United without immigrant players? No more Bruno Fernandes, no more Casimir and no more Cunha. Ronaldo wouldn't have been allowed to come here, neither would have Cantona or Schmeichel. So about 75% of the Manchester United football team are immigrants.”