Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), has launched a barrage of criticism against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour government regarding their response to grooming gangs. Musk's attacks, posted on X, allege that Starmer, while Director of Public Prosecutions, failed to adequately address the issue.
The controversy erupted after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips rejected a request for a Home Office-led public inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming in Oldham. Phillips argued for a locally-led investigation, citing precedents in other towns like Rotherham and Telford.
Musk's assertions, amplified through frequent posts on X, have drawn significant attention. He has accused Phillips of deserving imprisonment and directly implicated Starmer in the alleged inaction. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has also called for a full national inquiry.
The government's response has been measured. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the seriousness of child sexual exploitation but criticized Musk's claims as "misjudged and misinformed." Streeting also suggested Musk focus on US issues, while a colleague argued against further inquiries given existing investigations.
While the government indicated support for local inquiries into specific cases, including Oldham, previous national investigations and inquiries into the handling of historical child sex abuse cases in the UK are already underway, and have uncovered broader issues needing addressing. The government's commitment to implementing the recommendations of Professor Alexis Jay's 2022 report also remains a point of focus.
