Labour mayor of Greater Manchester joins those criticising Ratcliffe over his comments

Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, has joined those criticising Jim Ratcliffe over his claim that the UK is being “colonised” by immigrants.

Burnham said in a statement:

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.

Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another.