Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden has come out swinging against Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the billionaire businessman claimed the UK had been “colonised by immigrants”.
The Ineos boss caused quite the political debate on Wednesday when he publicly claimed that immigration was ruining Britain’s economy.
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” Sir Jim said.
“I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
Speaking to Sky, Sir Jim used figures to back up his claims. “I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people,” he said.
However, it should be noted that according to the Office for National Statistics, the estimate for the UK’s population in mid-2025 was 69.4 million, compared with 66.7 million in mid-2020.
Since Sky published his remarks, Sir Jim has come under pressure to apologise for his comments, most notably from the prime minister.
Sir Keir Starmer branded Mr Ratcliffe’s statement as “wrong and offensive”. Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has also called on the billionaire to say sorry.
Duncan Bannatyne has backed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s migration warning | GETTY
However, among those publicly backing the Manchester United co-owner was fellow business tycoon Duncan Bannatyne.
On X, the former Dragons’ Den star endorsed Mr Ratcliffe’s claims. In the first of several posts showing his support, Mr Bannatyne was reacting to a post by columnist Kelvin MacKenzie.
Mr MacKenzie urged his followers to “listen” to Mr Ratcliffe. “Certainly in some parts of the country the density of migrants makes you wonder if you are still in Britain,” Mr MacKenzie alleged.
“You can be sure critics (Gary Neville will be quick out of the trap) will focus on the fact he now lives as a tax exile Monaco. Let me point out he and his company have paid more tax to our exchequer over the years than all his critics put together,” Mr MacKenzie stated.
Deborah Meaden publicly opposed the comments made by Sir Jim
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BBCMr Bannatyne echoed Mr MacKenzie’s support of Sir Jim, reposting the statement with a simple caption: “Here here.”
“The more millionaires and billionaires that speak out, the stronger our voice becomes,” a separate X user replied, to which Mr Bannatyne concurred: “Agreed.”
Mr Bannatyne faced criticism for his endorsement of Mr Ratcliffe. Hitting back at one complaint, Mr Bannatyne said: “You think all the male fighting class immigrants arriving by boats now are paying for their own accommodation & food & medical bills & legal representation?”
He defended Sir Jim further against critics. “There is a difference to moving to Monaco & paying into the system and arriving in uk in a small dingy penniless,” he penned. (sic)
No but neither are migrants.
— Deborah Meaden 🇺🇦 (@DeborahMeaden) February 11, 2026
Ms Meaden waded into the debate, and while she didn’t address her former co-star’s stance directly, she made her feelings on the issue crystal clear.
In one of her own posts, Ms Meaden fired back at Rupert Lowe MP after he took to X to back Mr Ratcliffe and declared his claims as “right”.
The Dragons’ Den investor offered an opposing view. “Except on the actual facts… like the actual numbers,” she sarcastically sniped.
The businesswoman was also questioned on whether she felt Sir Jim was “a net financial drain” on Monaco. “No but neither are migrants,” Ms Meaden hit back.
Duncan Bannatyne and Deborah Meaden worked together on Dragons’ Den
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Ms Meaden wasn’t done there as she reposted a series of social media updates condemning Mr Ratcliffe.
In one post reposted by the Meaden, an X user said: “A ‘Sir’ worth £30,000,000,000 and who moved his residency to Monaco to avoid tax….calls out immigrants as the problem.
“This man is the manifestation of all that’s wrong with society, not the poor person seeking a better life.”
Ms Meaden also reposted another post that read: “This asset stripper lives in Monaco & pays no income tax in the UK, but feels entitled to opine on how OUR taxes are spent, while badmouthing immigrants as ‘invaders’ & benefit leeches. (sic)
Deborah Meaden has backed the PM’s called for Sir Jim to apologise
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“This is the same guy who expects the government to cough up OUR taxes to rebuild Old Trafford.”
She seemingly endorsed another post from an X user that slammed the Manchester United co-owner.
The X user had penned: “The idea that the co-owner of a football club – once hailed for its socialist roots – could spew such rhetoric against immigrants, the vast majority of whom are here to earn a living, is mind-blowing. Let’s hear from you, Manchester United legends.”
The Dragons’ Den star also reposted social media updates from Sir Keir and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed that called for Mr Ratcliffe to apologise.
