{"id":2118,"date":"2026-02-12T10:33:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=2118"},"modified":"2026-02-12T10:33:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:33:15","slug":"minister-and-burnham-escalate-row-with-hypocritical-ratcliffe-over-claim-uk-colonised-by-immigrants-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=2118","title":{"rendered":"Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><gu-island name=\"EnhancePinnedPost\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{}\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"pinned-post\" data-gu-marker=\"pinned-post\" data-component=\"pinned-post\" class=\"dcr-r5tmyr\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" name=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"dcr-11n52fl\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"collapsible-body\" class=\"dcr-1axsptg\">\n<article class=\"block dcr-1xlsn8h\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">&#8216;Inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory&#8217; &#8211; Andy Burnham condemns Ratcliffe over UK being &#8216;colonised&#8217; by migrants claim<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Andy Burnham<\/strong>, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, has joined those criticising <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/jim-ratcliffe\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jim Ratcliffe<\/a> over his claim that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by immigrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Burnham said <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndyBurnhamGM\/status\/2021860734448119858\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in a statement<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.<\/p>\n<p>Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another.<\/p>\n<p>It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He also suggested that Ratcliffe has been \u201csiphoning wealth\u201d out of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/manchester-united\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Manchester United<\/a>, while offering \u201clittle contribution\u201d to the city.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"7df38642-e5c3-4808-9e19-e45b7b9fd1eb\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/661ffc2314c3771f2c50c846b5131baf3ec04221\/0_0_1098_1392\/master\/1098.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/661ffc2314c3771f2c50c846b5131baf3ec04221\/0_0_1098_1392\/master\/1098.jpg?width=700&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/661ffc2314c3771f2c50c846b5131baf3ec04221\/0_0_1098_1392\/master\/1098.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/661ffc2314c3771f2c50c846b5131baf3ec04221\/0_0_1098_1392\/master\/1098.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Burnham's statement\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/661ffc2314c3771f2c50c846b5131baf3ec04221\/0_0_1098_1392\/master\/1098.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"589.5081967213115\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Burnham&#8217;s statement<\/span> Photograph: Andy Burnham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa#block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p><label for=\"pinned-post-checkbox\" id=\"pinned-post-button\" class=\"dcr-zw7tgl\"><span id=\"svgminus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M1 10.75v2.5h22v-2.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span id=\"svgplus\" class=\"dcr-yhdhkr\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"m10.8 13.2.425 9.8h1.525l.45-9.8 9.8-.45v-1.525l-9.8-.425-.45-9.8h-1.525l-.425 9.8-9.8.425v1.525z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698da6c98f08dbf00240c9e1&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The Liberal Democrats and the Greens have joined those strongly criticising Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s claim that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by migrants.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ec5a0782-5068-41cc-bffe-7082c1f2cd97&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ed Davey&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Lib Dem leader, posted this reponse &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/EdwardJDavey\/status\/2021710875766206912\\&quot;&gt;on social media&lt;\/a&gt;:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8dbb9dc0-015c-467e-a355-7ab52773fb40&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Totally wrong. Totally out of step with British values. He should apologise now.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7b49588d-9d7b-452c-bf03-b755f305ba09&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And the Green party issued this statement from its byelection candidate in Gorton and Denton, &lt;strong&gt;Hannah Spencer&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c732f1b4-2cc2-4820-ab61-a8865d1903db&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I challenge Jim Ratcliffe to join me on Stockport Road, meet the hard-working business people, struggling residents, and look them in the eye and listen to them.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I have and I know that they are sickened by his views and demand his apology.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is Britain\u2019s seventh-richest man, who moved to tax-free Monaco in 2020 and owns Manchester United punching down on the people in this constituency. What disgusting and racist comments. No wonder Reform leader Nigel Farage has backed him.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d5b480f5-5041-4367-afde-8f05703acb91&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But the Conservative party has been much more muted in its criticism. This is what &lt;strong&gt;Mel Stride&lt;\/strong&gt;, the shadow chancellor, said when asked about Ratcliffe\u2019s comments this morning.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;61807bbb-ad35-471b-a554-1c537b664ea1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I wouldn\u2019t use that term colonised. I think it\u2019s pejorative and suggests there\u2019s some kind of huge negativity around the motivations of those people that come here. And I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the case across the piece.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;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.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;When we were in government, we were doing something about that at the tail end of the Conservative government. We\u2019ve seen those figures coming down as a consequence of our action.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;But we do need to be very aware of the impact that migration has, particularly illegal migration, which the government is showing no signs of being able to control.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;106f0516-5764-4053-a130-4701072fea1f&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770890953000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.09\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770891395000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.16\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770891395000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.16\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;05.16&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Lib Dems and Greens condemn Ratcliffe - while Tories offer only mild criticism, saying migration 'of great concern to millions'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 12 Feb 2026 05.16 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 12 Feb 2026 03.49 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698da4de8f081129e2926894&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sir Simon McDonald&lt;\/strong&gt;, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, has urged No 10 to do \u201cmore due diligence\u201d as it prepares to replace the cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, with Antonia Romeo, the frontrunner for the role. &lt;strong&gt;Rowena Mason&lt;\/strong&gt; has the story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6c1c97c9-319d-491f-8c64-66685dcccdf5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Former top civil servant warns \u2018more due diligence\u2019 to be done over replacement of Chris Wormald&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2a304c92-e8a6-4435-9326-12b845f9a2b8&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/11\/former-top-civil-servant-warns-more-due-diligence-to-be-done-over-replacement-of-chris-wormald&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steven Swinford&lt;\/strong&gt; from the Times says McDonald\u2019s comments have provoked a furious backlash from people within government. He has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/Steven_Swinford\/status\/2021875378814341517\\&quot;&gt;posted&lt;\/a&gt; this comment from a &lt;strong&gt;government source&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ae041bde-7a90-433d-a934-097b4d0085ed&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today. A computer says no culture, that cannot challenge the status quo.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Antonia is a disrupter. She isn\u2019t settled with the status quo. She is one of the few senior officials that has always fought against the computer says no culture embedded in the British state&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;In light of the crisis we face as a country, Antonia is exactly the leadership the civil service need to embrace systemic reform to rewire the state, take on vested interest and deliver for the British people.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b261ec73-7689-4f64-9188-61a17241a93c&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770890462000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.01\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770890869000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.07\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770890869000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.07\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;05.07&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Government source hits back after ex-FCO permanent secretary warns against Antonia Romeo being made cabinet secretary&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 12 Feb 2026 05.16 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 12 Feb 2026 03.49 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698da2c68f08510da5490aff&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The UK economy expanded by only 0.1% in the final three months of last year, according to official data, as falling business investment and weak consumer spending led to little momentum going into 2026. &lt;strong&gt;Tom Knowles&lt;\/strong&gt; has the story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d94c0713-e956-48a7-9a5d-86a7c100c12b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;UK economy grows by only 0.1% amid falling business investment&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;66b4cd36-4013-4d2f-868f-111e0cc6dfcb&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-economy-grows-rachel-reeves-budget-ons-gdp-growth&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And &lt;strong&gt;Graeme Wearden&lt;\/strong&gt; has more reaction on his business live blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ad5a9d7d-29bd-467e-8647-45a021815d6e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;UK economy ends 2025 \u2018in the slow lane\u2019 after growing just 0.1% in Q4 \u2013 business live&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0dc91efa-c00a-4952-a4a7-247f73630e51&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-gdp-report-economy-december-q4-2025-growth-rachel-reeves-budget-news-updates&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770889926000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.52\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770889996000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.53\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770889996000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.53\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.53&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK economy grows by only 0.1% amid falling business investment&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 12 Feb 2026 05.16 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 12 Feb 2026 03.49 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698d9ed18f081129e2926857&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The &lt;strong&gt;GMB&lt;\/strong&gt; union has alos criticised &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/jim-ratcliffe\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Jim Ratcliffe&lt;\/a&gt; over his comments about immigration. The union represents workers employed by Ineos, the chemicals company set up and run by Ratcliffe. Andy Prendergast, the GMB\u2019s national secretary, said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3ac35363-18fc-4035-9be4-c7fa7f2774a6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Anyone who watches football knows the beautiful game is a shining example multiculturalism; people from across the world playing in harmony.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\\n  In light of this, Radcliffe\u2019s crass and insensitive comments just underline how out of touch and offensive he truly is.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\\n  His reign at Man Utd has been marked by mass dismissals of loyal staff and chaos on the pitch.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\\n  Frankly, his right to comment on UK affairs should have ended the moment he sloped off to Monaco to avoid paying his taxes.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;74d3ac1e-fac3-4eb8-b620-e3994a84e84b&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770888913000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.35\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770889187000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.39\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770889187000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.39\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.39&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Football 'shining example of multiculturalism' and Ratcliffe's comments 'crass and insensitive', says GMB&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 12 Feb 2026 05.16 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 12 Feb 2026 03.49 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Andy Burnham&lt;\/strong&gt;, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, has joined those criticising &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/jim-ratcliffe\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Jim Ratcliffe&lt;\/a&gt; over his claim that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by immigrants.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3b6fa47c-e0f0-46aa-b59d-5a8e0d494223&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Burnham said &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/x.com\/AndyBurnhamGM\/status\/2021860734448119858\\&quot;&gt;in a statement&lt;\/a&gt;:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d6e50066-cb7a-4a6a-9546-2ec6e2108688&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;16111204-ad2a-4b0e-9fdc-a78110a1e74c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He also suggested that Ratcliffe has been \u201csiphoning wealth\u201d out of &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/manchester-united\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Manchester United&lt;\/a&gt;, while offering \u201clittle contribution\u201d to the 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statement&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Burnham's statement&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Andy Burnham&quot;}}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:true,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770888191000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.23\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770888529000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.28\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770888529000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.28\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.28&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;'Inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory' - Andy Burnham condemns Ratcliffe over UK being 'colonised' by migrants claim&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 12 Feb 2026 05.16 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 12 Feb 2026 03.49 EST&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698d86028f08af960c64f691&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning. As &lt;strong&gt;Joe Coughlan &lt;\/strong&gt;and &lt;strong&gt;Rob Davies&lt;\/strong&gt; report, last night Downing Street said that the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/manchester-united\\&quot;&gt;Manchester United&lt;\/a&gt; co-owner &lt;strong&gt;Jim Ratcliffe&lt;\/strong&gt; should apologise for his comments that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by immigrants.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;136053f9-604b-4de0-aa65-4e1d1cd30549&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer tells Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK \u2018colonised\u2019 by immigrants&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7e6bc6fc-8189-47a0-944d-4279ff6e4214&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/11\/uk-immigrants-man-utd-sir-jim-ratcliffe-tax-monaco&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Although Ratcliffe\u2019s claim that the UK population had increased by 12m over the past five years was shockingly and absurdly inaccurate, it was still moderately surprising that Downing Street criticised Ratcliffe so quickly and so explicitly. In the past, when public figures have made anti-immigration comments, the default government response has often been to say that they have a point and that these concerns are understandable. It is to soon to know whether the Ratcliffe rebuttal is evidence of a new approach, but Morgan McSweeney, who was the PM\u2019s chief of staff until Sunday, was one of the figures in Downing Street most nervous about being seen as pro-immigration, and there is speculation that, with him out of the building, Starmer might be bolder about articulating his progressive instincts.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;05de1dbb-f99c-4dd0-883b-b06548b3cdaf&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;What No 10 says it important because, when the PM speaks out, ministers feel confident piling in behind. &lt;strong&gt;Jake Richards&lt;\/strong&gt;, the justice minister, has picked up the message. He has been doing a broadcast round this morning and he sounds like he feels licensed to escalate the attack on Ratcliffe. He told Times Radio:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7242a9eb-1eba-4ed4-bb25-881b85d27dd6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;[Ratcliffe] he certainly doesn\u2019t have to apologise for having an opinion. But personally, and I think, the prime minister thinks, that that language is offensive to so many people.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It is completely absurd to think that our country is being \u2018colonised\u2019, which implies some kind of invasion or taken over. That\u2019s not right at all.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;82369763-e76e-4403-af6a-b9f18c05f286&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Richards also suggested Ratcliffe was a hypocrite.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;af733176-8517-4245-9d9c-68a3878f00d9&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Let\u2019s just be very clear that Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s comments yesterday both were offensive in terms of the language used, he got his facts wrong, and there\u2019s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save \u00a34bn in tax is now lecturing us about immigration. There\u2019s something that I find slightly hypocritical about that.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d54ff8f0-bfcd-4546-9a23-1cb76f7b1c0f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It is hard to imagine Richards letting rip like this if McSweeney were still in charge in Downing Street.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b679ee7e-03e5-4cd3-9316-ae394bed7b41&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is the agenda for the day.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;755cc94a-a284-4dc7-a4c1-e3a616f9286a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;9.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;12df67e8-4f92-4f40-b3a5-ac6030c767ad&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is due to speak to the media on a visit to a training centre in the south of England.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;58ceb1c9-fb04-4a5c-8fab-ab5aecdd0afe&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; Wes Streeting, the health secretary, is visiting a Manchester hospital.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a8315472-cfe9-4f3a-a1bd-87560d4077b3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;11am:&lt;\/em&gt; Angela Rayner, the former deputy PM, speaks at a night-time economy conference in Liverpool. &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/andyburnham\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Andy Burnham&lt;\/a&gt; and Steve Rotheram, the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool city region respectively, are also speaking.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;caea5bf1-f667-46db-85e4-12d081ca87c7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; David Lammy, the deputy PM and justice secretary, is visiting a youth offending service in south London.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0e86b64b-23f9-4587-a45d-6c4e4caf7fcf&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;11.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3bc2770d-cd11-492f-a19c-54e03dbfe90a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Noon: John Swinney, Scotland\u2019s first minister, takes questions from MSPs.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5ea74061-9dac-4533-939f-7f644e11b7cb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;1.30pm:&lt;\/em&gt; The Manchester Evening News is hosting a Gorton and Denton byelection debate.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dd2d4efe-98d3-4e61-a1a5-70e59dd907d3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;And the government is publishing its&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/11\/labour-bill-would-stop-dodgy-front-companies-making-political-donations\\&quot;&gt; representation of the people bill&lt;\/a&gt;, which will lower the voting age to 16.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;27b21594-b87a-4901-b635-4ea91f11d7b8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4f86d62b-c17a-4d39-b600-bb8a1905830d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\\&quot;&gt;given up posting from its official accounts on X&lt;\/a&gt;, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;061fcf16-2a31-4bcb-a7f3-6e1bace6e741&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;19950af9-ca87-4342-8cf0-e96983394f6e&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770886185000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;03.49\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770889519000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.45\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770886185000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;03.49\u00a0EST&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;03.49&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minister escalates row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 12 Feb 2026 05.16 EST&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 12 Feb 2026 03.49 EST&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1770892395154}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-698da6c98f08dbf00240c9e1\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Lib Dems and Greens condemn Ratcliffe &#8211; while Tories offer only mild criticism, saying migration &#8216;of great concern to millions&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Liberal Democrats and the Greens have joined those strongly criticising Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s claim that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by migrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ed Davey<\/strong>, the Lib Dem leader, posted this reponse <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EdwardJDavey\/status\/2021710875766206912\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">on social media<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Totally wrong. Totally out of step with British values. He should apologise now.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And the Green party issued this statement from its byelection candidate in Gorton and Denton, <strong>Hannah Spencer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I challenge Jim Ratcliffe to join me on Stockport Road, meet the hard-working business people, struggling residents, and look them in the eye and listen to them.<\/p>\n<p>I have and I know that they are sickened by his views and demand his apology.<\/p>\n<p>This is Britain\u2019s seventh-richest man, who moved to tax-free Monaco in 2020 and owns Manchester United punching down on the people in this constituency. What disgusting and racist comments. No wonder Reform leader Nigel Farage has backed him.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But the Conservative party has been much more muted in its criticism. This is what <strong>Mel Stride<\/strong>, the shadow chancellor, said when asked about Ratcliffe\u2019s comments this morning.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I wouldn\u2019t use that term colonised. I think it\u2019s pejorative and suggests there\u2019s some kind of huge negativity around the motivations of those people that come here. And I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the case across the piece.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>When we were in government, we were doing something about that at the tail end of the Conservative government. We\u2019ve seen those figures coming down as a consequence of our action.<\/p>\n<p>But we do need to be very aware of the impact that migration has, particularly illegal migration, which the government is showing no signs of being able to control.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698da6c98f08dbf00240c9e1&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698da6c98f08dbf00240c9e1&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698da6c98f08dbf00240c9e1#block-698da6c98f08dbf00240c9e1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698da4de8f081129e2926894\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Government source hits back after ex-FCO permanent secretary warns against Antonia Romeo being made cabinet secretary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Sir Simon McDonald<\/strong>, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, has urged No 10 to do \u201cmore due diligence\u201d as it prepares to replace the cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, with Antonia Romeo, the frontrunner for the role. <strong>Rowena Mason<\/strong> has the story.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"9c66c246-84aa-409a-8d7d-e17e00c804c4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Former top civil servant warns \u2018more due diligence\u2019 to be done over replacement of Chris Wormald&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9c66c246-84aa-409a-8d7d-e17e00c804c4&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/11\/former-top-civil-servant-warns-more-due-diligence-to-be-done-over-replacement-of-chris-wormald&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Steven Swinford<\/strong> from the Times says McDonald\u2019s comments have provoked a furious backlash from people within government. He has <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Steven_Swinford\/status\/2021875378814341517\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">posted<\/a> this comment from a <strong>government source<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today. A computer says no culture, that cannot challenge the status quo.<\/p>\n<p>Antonia is a disrupter. She isn\u2019t settled with the status quo. She is one of the few senior officials that has always fought against the computer says no culture embedded in the British state<\/p>\n<p>In light of the crisis we face as a country, Antonia is exactly the leadership the civil service need to embrace systemic reform to rewire the state, take on vested interest and deliver for the British people.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698da4de8f081129e2926894&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698da4de8f081129e2926894&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698da4de8f081129e2926894#block-698da4de8f081129e2926894\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698da2c68f08510da5490aff\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">UK economy grows by only 0.1% amid falling business investment<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The UK economy expanded by only 0.1% in the final three months of last year, according to official data, as falling business investment and weak consumer spending led to little momentum going into 2026. <strong>Tom Knowles<\/strong> has the story.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"c4b47637-041f-41a6-a6f1-237829362529\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;UK economy grows by only 0.1% amid falling business investment&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c4b47637-041f-41a6-a6f1-237829362529&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-economy-grows-rachel-reeves-budget-ons-gdp-growth&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And <strong>Graeme Wearden<\/strong> has more reaction on his business live blog.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6a9996dc-c78c-4b3f-96d6-37ab4f5694d9\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:3,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;UK economy ends 2025 \u2018in the slow lane\u2019 after growing just 0.1% in Q4 \u2013 business live&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6a9996dc-c78c-4b3f-96d6-37ab4f5694d9&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-gdp-report-economy-december-q4-2025-growth-rachel-reeves-budget-news-updates&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698da2c68f08510da5490aff&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698da2c68f08510da5490aff&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698da2c68f08510da5490aff#block-698da2c68f08510da5490aff\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698d9ed18f081129e2926857\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Football &#8216;shining example of multiculturalism&#8217; and Ratcliffe&#8217;s comments &#8216;crass and insensitive&#8217;, says GMB<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The <strong>GMB<\/strong> union has alos criticised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/jim-ratcliffe\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jim Ratcliffe<\/a> over his comments about immigration. The union represents workers employed by Ineos, the chemicals company set up and run by Ratcliffe. Andy Prendergast, the GMB\u2019s national secretary, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Anyone who watches football knows the beautiful game is a shining example multiculturalism; people from across the world playing in harmony.<\/p>\n<p>In light of this, Radcliffe\u2019s crass and insensitive comments just underline how out of touch and offensive he truly is.<\/p>\n<p>His reign at Man Utd has been marked by mass dismissals of loyal staff and chaos on the pitch.<\/p>\n<p>Frankly, his right to comment on UK affairs should have ended the moment he sloped off to Monaco to avoid paying his taxes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698d9ed18f081129e2926857&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698d9ed18f081129e2926857&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698d9ed18f081129e2926857#block-698d9ed18f081129e2926857\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">&#8216;Inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory&#8217; &#8211; Andy Burnham condemns Ratcliffe over UK being &#8216;colonised&#8217; by migrants claim<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Andy Burnham<\/strong>, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, has joined those criticising <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/jim-ratcliffe\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jim Ratcliffe<\/a> over his claim that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by immigrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Burnham said <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndyBurnhamGM\/status\/2021860734448119858\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">in a statement<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.<\/p>\n<p>Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another.<\/p>\n<p>It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He also suggested that Ratcliffe has been \u201csiphoning wealth\u201d out of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/manchester-united\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Manchester United<\/a>, while offering \u201clittle contribution\u201d to the city.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"3ea91108-33d5-40eb-ac2f-3f6b5c2a302c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Burnham&#8217;s statement<\/span> Photograph: Andy Burnham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa#block-698d9bff8f08510da5490aaa\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698d86028f08af960c64f691\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Minister escalates row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning. As <strong>Joe Coughlan <\/strong>and <strong>Rob Davies<\/strong> report, last night Downing Street said that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/football\/manchester-united\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Manchester United<\/a> co-owner <strong>Jim Ratcliffe<\/strong> should apologise for his comments that the UK is being \u201ccolonised\u201d by immigrants.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"189a3052-8a3b-4fb9-a771-24972bb26cdf\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Starmer tells Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK \u2018colonised\u2019 by immigrants&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;189a3052-8a3b-4fb9-a771-24972bb26cdf&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/feb\/11\/uk-immigrants-man-utd-sir-jim-ratcliffe-tax-monaco&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Although Ratcliffe\u2019s claim that the UK population had increased by 12m over the past five years was shockingly and absurdly inaccurate, it was still moderately surprising that Downing Street criticised Ratcliffe so quickly and so explicitly. In the past, when public figures have made anti-immigration comments, the default government response has often been to say that they have a point and that these concerns are understandable. It is to soon to know whether the Ratcliffe rebuttal is evidence of a new approach, but Morgan McSweeney, who was the PM\u2019s chief of staff until Sunday, was one of the figures in Downing Street most nervous about being seen as pro-immigration, and there is speculation that, with him out of the building, Starmer might be bolder about articulating his progressive instincts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">What No 10 says it important because, when the PM speaks out, ministers feel confident piling in behind. <strong>Jake Richards<\/strong>, the justice minister, has picked up the message. He has been doing a broadcast round this morning and he sounds like he feels licensed to escalate the attack on Ratcliffe. He told Times Radio:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>[Ratcliffe] he certainly doesn\u2019t have to apologise for having an opinion. But personally, and I think, the prime minister thinks, that that language is offensive to so many people.<\/p>\n<p>It is completely absurd to think that our country is being \u2018colonised\u2019, which implies some kind of invasion or taken over. That\u2019s not right at all.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Richards also suggested Ratcliffe was a hypocrite.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Let\u2019s just be very clear that Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s comments yesterday both were offensive in terms of the language used, he got his facts wrong, and there\u2019s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save \u00a34bn in tax is now lecturing us about immigration. There\u2019s something that I find slightly hypocritical about that.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It is hard to imagine Richards letting rip like this if McSweeney were still in charge in Downing Street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is the agenda for the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>9.30am:<\/em> NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is due to speak to the media on a visit to a training centre in the south of England.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> Wes Streeting, the health secretary, is visiting a Manchester hospital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>11am:<\/em> Angela Rayner, the former deputy PM, speaks at a night-time economy conference in Liverpool. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/andyburnham\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Andy Burnham<\/a> and Steve Rotheram, the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool city region respectively, are also speaking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> David Lammy, the deputy PM and justice secretary, is visiting a youth offending service in south London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>11.30am:<\/em> Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Noon: John Swinney, Scotland\u2019s first minister, takes questions from MSPs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>1.30pm:<\/em> The Manchester Evening News is hosting a Gorton and Denton byelection debate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And the government is publishing its<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/11\/labour-bill-would-stop-dodgy-front-companies-making-political-donations\" data-link-name=\"in body link\"> representation of the people bill<\/a>, which will lower the voting age to 16.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698d86028f08af960c64f691&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698d86028f08af960c64f691&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Minister and Burnham escalate row with \u2018hypocritical\u2019 Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants \u2013 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1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-12T09:45:19.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 04:45 AM Eastern Standard Time\">04.45 EST<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/series\/politics-live-with-andrew-sparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Series&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics live with Andrew Sparrow&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;business\/jim-ratcliffe&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jim 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asylum&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/migration&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Migration&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/andyburnham&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Andy Burnham&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by minute&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/andrewsparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Andrew 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News&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;contributionsServiceUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics,business\/jim-ratcliffe,uk\/uk,politics\/labour,politics\/keir-starmer,politics\/conservatives,business\/ineos,football\/manchester-united,uk\/immigration,world\/migration,politics\/andyburnham&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/12\/uk-politics-latest-news-updates-labour-jim-ratcliffe-keir-starmer\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8216;Inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory&#8217; &#8211; Andy Burnham condemns Ratcliffe over UK being &#8216;colonised&#8217; by migrants claim Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, has joined those&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}