A British minister has publicly criticized Elon Musk for his remarks on child sexual abuse scandals in the UK, accusing the tech billionaire of lacking knowledge on the issue. Musk, a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has used his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to target UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips. As per Reuters, he has accused Starmer of failing to prosecute grooming gangs during his tenure as director of public prosecutions and referred to Phillips as a “rape genocide apologist.” The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with both praise and condemnation for Musk’s comments.
Elon Musk’s claims against Phillips: “Rape genocide apologist”
Elon Musk’s social media posts allege that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was complicit in failing to prosecute gangs of men accused of sexually abusing young girls during his time as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013. Musk accused Starmer of prioritizing political gains over justice for victims, stating that an inquiry would reveal his “deep complicity in the mass rapes in exchange for votes.”
Musk also directed harsh criticism at Jess Phillips, labeling her a “rape genocide apologist” and calling for her imprisonment. Phillips, known for her career advocating for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, dismissed Musk’s comments as baseless and damaging.
Jess Phillips criticises Elon Musk’s comments on child abuse scandal remarks
In an interview with ITV, Jess Phillips described Musk’s remarks as “ridiculous” and said they had disrupted her personal and professional life. She expressed frustration that Musk’s comments distracted from her work combating child exploitation. “It’s not great, and the thing that annoys me the most about it is that it takes so much bandwidth of my time from a man who knows absolutely nothing about the subject he is talking about,” Phillips said.
According to Reuters, Phillips also shared her pain at seeing child abuse issues turned into a “political football.” She emphasized her dedication to fighting child exploitation and expressed disappointment at the politicization of such a grave subject.
The broader context of child abuse scandals in the UK
The grooming gang scandals referenced by Musk involve the long-term, widespread sexual abuse of young girls in several northern English towns, including Rotherham, Rochdale, and Oldham. Investigations revealed that gangs, primarily of South Asian origin, exploited vulnerable girls over several years.
In 2022, a nationwide inquiry into child sexual abuse in the UK, including cases within institutions such as schools and churches, concluded with numerous recommendations. However, some of these recommendations have yet to be implemented, prompting ongoing calls for action.
Musk and other opposition figures have called for a new national inquiry, despite previous extensive investigations. Jess Phillips has advocated for localized inquiries by councils in affected towns but has faced criticism from Musk and his supporters for her stance.
Threats and security concerns
The heated discourse has led to tangible security threats. Sky News reported that a man was charged with three counts of malicious communication, following threats made towards Jess Phillips. While Devon and Cornwall Police did not name the victims, the charges underscore the potential dangers of inflammatory rhetoric.
Phillips revealed the emotional toll such threats take, noting how divisive comments detract from meaningful efforts to address child exploitation.
Keir Starmer defends his record
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Musk’s accusations by defending his record as director of public prosecutions. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “Those spreading lies and misinformation…are not interested in victims, they are interested in themselves.”
Starmer also warned of the harmful consequences of such rhetoric, highlighting its potential to incite threats and intimidation against public figures. He accused Musk and others of amplifying falsehoods for personal or political gain.
Elon Musk’s counterarguments
In response to the backlash, Elon Musk doubled down on his claims, reiterating his call for an inquiry into the grooming gang scandals. Musk argued that Starmer’s leadership and the actions of other officials during the period in question warrant deeper scrutiny.
Despite the criticism, Musk remains a polarizing figure, with some supporters echoing his calls for greater accountability and others condemning his inflammatory language.
