Elon Musk’s criticism of the government’s handling of grooming gangs is “misjudged and certainly misinformed,” Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said. The tech billionaire has posted a series of messages on his social media platform X, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute grooming gangs that systematically exploited and raped young girls, and calling for Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips to be jailed.
Responding to Musk’s comments, Streeting said, “This government takes the issue of child sexual exploitation incredibly seriously.” He invited Musk to “roll up his sleeves and work with us” in tackling the issue of rape gangs. The Conservative Party has also criticised Musk, accusing him of “sharing things that are factually inaccurate.” While visiting a care home in Carlisle on Friday, Streeting said Labour was focused on implementing the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay “in full.”
“Some of the criticisms Elon Musk has made I think are misjudged and certainly misinformed,” he told reporters. “But we’re willing to work with Elon Musk, who I think has got a big role to play with his social media platform, to help us and other countries tackle these serious issues. If he wants to work with us and roll his sleeves up, we’d welcome that.”
Musk, a prominent adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, has accused Sir Keir of failing to adequately prosecute grooming gangs while serving as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He has also repeatedly retweeted statements from Reform UK and Conservative MPs calling for a national inquiry. Musk further suggested that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips “deserves to be in prison” after she rejected a request for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, suggesting instead that the council should commission a local inquiry.
This decision was criticised by senior Tories, although the previous Conservative government had also declined a similar request in 2022. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for a full national public inquiry into what she described as the UK’s “rape gangs scandal.” However, the party has distanced itself from Musk’s call for Phillips to be jailed, with some members accusing him of spreading misinformation.
Alicia Kearns, the Conservative spokesperson on safeguarding, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Musk had “fallen prone” to sharing information on X “without critically assessing it.” She accused Musk of “drawing attention away from the survivors and victims” and of “lionising individuals like [far-right activist] Tommy Robinson, which is frankly dangerous.”
The Jay Inquiry
There have been multiple investigations into the systematic abuse of young girls by organised grooming gangs in areas including Rotherham, Rochdale, Cornwall, and Derbyshire. Earlier on Friday, Health Minister Andrew Gwynne suggested Musk “ought to focus” on US politics, where he is set to act as an unelected adviser to the Trump administration on cutting federal spending. Speaking to LBC Radio, Gwynne highlighted that grooming is a “very serious issue,” pointing out the extensive investigations and inquiries that have already taken place.
“There comes a point where we don’t need more inquiries,” Gwynne said. “Had Elon Musk paid closer attention to what’s been going on in this country, he might have recognised that there have already been significant inquiries.”
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which published its final report in 2022, described child sexual abuse as an “epidemic that leaves tens of thousands of victims in its wake.” The inquiry consolidated findings from multiple previous investigations and conducted its own. Professor Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry, expressed frustration in 2022 that none of her report’s 20 recommendations had been implemented. “This is a difficult subject, but essential for public understanding,” she said. “It doesn’t need more consultation or research—it just needs to be done.”
The Rotherham Scandal
Musk’s comments were sparked by the Rotherham grooming scandal, which was detailed in a 2014 report by Alexis Jay. The report uncovered systemic failures that allowed the abuse of approximately 1,400 children over 16 years. Many victims, some as young as 11, were subjected to rape, trafficking, and severe physical and emotional harm. Authorities failed to act despite mounting evidence, with fears of being labelled racist cited as a significant barrier to intervention, as the majority of perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage.
The fallout from the scandal led to public outrage and numerous calls for reform. Several officials resigned, and a few perpetrators were prosecuted, but critics argue that justice for the victims remains incomplete. Recommendations from the Jay Report included improved risk assessments, extended victim support, and stronger accountability within institutions. However, systemic failures and cultural sensitivities continue to pose challenges to meaningful reform.
Lessons and the Way Forward
The Rotherham scandal highlighted the dangers of institutional apathy and the consequences of prioritising political sensitivities over child safety. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse called for a balanced approach, advocating sensitivity to cultural issues while ensuring justice and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Professor Jay’s recommendations emphasised robust training, education, and accountability measures to prevent such failures in the future.
The Rotherham scandal remains a stark reminder of the cost of systemic negligence and a call to action for governments, law enforcement, and society to prioritise accountability and justice for survivors.
