The world’s richest man Elon Musk has sparked a political storm in Britain after launching a series of controversial posts targeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labor government. His comments have reignited the issue of child grooming gangs, leading to calls for a fresh investigation.
Musk’s accusation against Starmer
On New Year’s Day, Musk accused Keir Starmer of failing to act decisively in prosecuting gang cases during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (2008–2013). Musk claimed that Starmer allowed “rape gangs” to exploit vulnerable girls without facing justice, alleging that institutional failings were linked to Starmer’s leadership of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The billionaire also criticized Jess Phillips, Britain’s undersecretary for security at the Home Office, accusing her of covering for Starmer by rejecting calls for a public inquiry into alleged grooming scandals at Oldham. Musk suggested that Phillips’ decision to save Starmer was politically motivated, claiming it represented a “cover-up” of systemic failures.
In a series of posts on X, Musk demanded a new national public inquiry and called on the Labor government to face an immediate general election. He went so far as to accuse Phillips of being a “rape-genocide sympathizer”.
The Labor government quickly rejected Musk’s comments, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting labeling them “misjudgment and misinformation”. Starmer’s defenders argue that as DPP, he introduced new guidelines in 2013 to better address child sexual abuse cases.
grooming gang scams
Grooming gang scandals have long been an issue in British politics. Investigations in towns such as Rotherham, Rochdale and Telford revealed widespread child sexual abuse, often perpetrated mainly by men of Pakistani origin. The report suggests systemic failures by local officials and law enforcement, with officers accused of ignoring or downplaying abuses for fear of being labeled racist.
The 2022 Oldham investigation found serious safeguarding failings, but did not uncover evidence of organized exploitation at council-run facilities. National investigations such as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) have repeatedly identified shortcomings in the system, while successive governments have promised reforms.
These failings have been seized upon by far-right figures like Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment. Musk’s decision to promote Robinson’s ideas has led critics to accuse him of spreading misinformation.
musk vs faraz
The Tesla chief has aligned himself with far-right movements in Europe and expressed support for Britain’s Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage. Musk has also supported protester Robinson, who is currently serving an 18-month sentence for contempt of court
However, on Sunday, Musk appeared to be distancing himself from Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s anti-immigration reform UK party. Musk, who had previously hinted at possible support for Farage’s party, declared on his X platform that “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”
The public rift comes days after Farage revealed he was in talks with Musk regarding a potentially significant financial donation to Reform UK. Farage’s party, which split the Conservative vote during the general election in July 2024, is seen as influential in returning Labor to power.
Musk posted on A series of scandals involving the exploitation of young girls by.
Faraz responded with a stern rebuke, “Tommy Robinson’s imprisonment is not political. It’s about contempt of court.” While maintaining Musk’s “very supportive” stance towards Reform UK, Farage rejected the notion of forming a coalition with Robinson, saying, “I would never sell out my principles.”
