Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of the INEOS chemicals group and co-owner of Manchester United, told Sky News regarding immigration to the UK, "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 added, "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."
Starmer’s comments were criticized, noting recent incidents including the stabbing of two schoolboys by a Muslim teen who allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attack and the conviction of an Afghan asylum seeker for raping a 12-year-old girl just months after arrived in the UK.
Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was found guilty at Warwick Crown Court of abducting a 12-year-old girl and committing what prosecutors described as “extremely horrific sexual offences” in Nuneaton. The attack occurred on July 22, less than four months after Mulakhil arrived in the UK by small boat from France. Judge Kristina Montgomery KC said Mulakhil “will plainly receive a substantial custodial sentence which will automatically make him liable for deportation at its conclusion.” Sentencing is scheduled for next month.
Jurors heard testimony from the victim, who said Mulakhil laughed during the assault. Court reporting indicated that Mulakhil cried in the dock as verdicts were delivered. Mulakhil had submitted an immigration application citing issues he experienced in Afghanistan.
The attack drew responses from political figures. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch accused authorities of a “cover-up” for not reporting details of the suspects’ backgrounds. Conservative Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch called the case “grotesque” and reiterated her party’s tougher policies on foreign criminals.
In London on Tuesday, a 13-year-old suspect, believed to be Muslim, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two boys were stabbed. Both victims were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. The suspect allegedly shouted Allahu Akbar during the attack.
