A Devon man has been charged with sending malicious communications to Labour's Jess Phillips, escalating a controversy sparked by Elon Musk's online attacks. Three separate reports of malicious communications, spanning from April 2024 to January 2025, led to the charge.
Sir Keir Starmer, reacting to the incident, strongly condemned the "poison of the far right" for creating a climate of serious threats against Phillips. His criticism came following a speech on NHS reform, where journalists pressed him on Musk's attacks, particularly regarding the Asian grooming gangs scandal. Starmer stated that those spreading misinformation prioritize themselves over victims, highlighting Musk's accusations against Phillips as an example. He emphasized the importance of truth-based political discourse.
Starmer further criticized the Conservative party's perceived inaction in condemning the abuse directed at Phillips. He emphasized that politicians should uphold the protection of victims and ensure that debate rests on facts, not falsehoods. The Conservative failure to condemn the attacks on Phillips was described as a critical matter.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the man's arrest following multiple reports of malicious communications, specifically targeting Phillips, in recent months. This development comes as the fallout from Musk's social media attacks intensifies. The incident in question took place in recent weeks, aligning with Musk's public accusations of Phillips. These accusations included labeling her a "rape genocide apologist".
This incident underscores the potential for online abuse and harassment to escalate into offline threats. Starmer's remarks highlight the need for a strong response to online abuse, while also emphasizing the crucial role of responsible social media use.
