BRITAIN’S face of business has urged the county to welcome immigrants who contribute skills and talent. But those who do not get involved should go away, he said.

Sir Digby Jones, outgoing director of the CBI, the employers’ group, said in Kent that those who refused to get involved should get out.

In his last speech in the South East before he steps down on June 30, Sir Digby held 600 people attending Kent 2020 Vision at Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne, spellbound by his outspoken review of the British business scene.

In particular, he spoke of globalisation and the need for Britain to adapt to survive. It was a frightening, changing, challenging world but globalisation should hold no fears for the British, a race of free traders. It was in our DNA to engage with the world.

That meant continuing to welcome immigrants to this liberal, tolerant home they call Britain, just as we had for centuries. Immigration was a force for good and peace. We had to be loving and understanding.

He said: "We should tell them, this is your home and you are welcome. Britain has done this for centuries and we have made a class act out of doing it. We must keep doing it. This will add to the economic development of Kent, believe me, because we haven’t enough skills."

But he spelt out this warning to those who had no wish to contribute.

"If you want to come here and won’t speak English, think it’s a free ride, not bring skills - then would you kindly go to another country because this country is not for you."

His main criticism was reserved for the protectionism practised by France, the Eurozone and the Americans.

He hit out at the US decision to bar Dubai Ports World from buying several American ports in its takeover of P&O, including the Dover ferry operation, over supposed security fears.

Under his "broken leg theory" EU members imposed controls that made them all hobble at the same slow speed, allowing faster competitors like China and India to pull away. The 21st century belonged to Asia and we should turn it to our advantage, Sir Digby said.