Elon Musk, the US billionaire, has ignited a controversy in the UK by criticizing the government's handling of the grooming gangs scandal. Musk, a supporter of former US president Donald Trump, has accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips of failing to address the issue adequately.
Musk's criticism intensified after Phillips' refusal to grant the Home Office permission to launch a national inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming in Oldham. He suggested on social media that Phillips "deserves to be in prison" and blamed Starmer's tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions for the alleged failures in addressing the crimes.
Starmer, in response, distanced himself from Musk's accusations, calling the spread of misinformation a disservice to victims. Other prominent figures, including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, have also called for a thorough investigation.
The government has defended its position, emphasizing existing inquiries and local authorities' roles in addressing such issues. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, while acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, dismissed Musk's accusations as misguided. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has similarly defended her decision not to initiate a national inquiry.
Despite government resistance to a national inquiry, pressure persists. Musk's broadsides on social media platform X, and demands from Tory politicians, have fueled the call for a more comprehensive review of the issue.
Existing investigations, including a 2022 inquiry led by Professor Alexis Jay, have examined similar incidents across the UK. These investigations explored abuse by organized groups across several regions. However, Professor Jay expressed frustration with the lack of implementation of the inquiry's recommendations.
The government maintains that while supportive of localized inquiries, a national one isn't necessary. The Home Secretary and other ministers maintain the government's commitment to implementing Professor Jay's recommendations and continue to support efforts by local authorities to address specific cases like the Oldham scandal.
