Nigel Farage has thrown his support behind Elon Musk after the billionaire criticised the UK government’s approach to grooming gangs on X, the social media platform Musk owns.
In a series of recent posts, Musk accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute grooming gangs during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He also claimed Home Office minister Jess Phillips “deserves to be in prison” for her role in the government’s response to the issue.
The controversy intensified after the Home Office declined a request for a government-led public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham. The Conservatives and Reform UK have both called for a broader national investigation.
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Farage acknowledged Musk’s use of “very tough terms” but praised the platform’s commitment to free speech under Musk’s ownership. He also distanced himself from Musk’s reported support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Musk’s Criticism Sparks Debate
Musk’s comments followed a decision by Home Office minister Jess Phillips to instruct Oldham Council to launch a local inquiry into historical child sexual abuse. The decision has been criticised for falling short of the comprehensive national inquiry many have demanded.
Musk labelled Sir Keir Starmer as “two-tier Keir” and accused Phillips of being a “rape genocide apologist.” He also amplified calls from Conservative and Reform UK MPs for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
Responding to Musk’s remarks, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended Phillips, describing her as “fearless and formidable” and highlighting her longstanding efforts to combat institutional failures in safeguarding children.
Farage Weighs In
Farage, leader of Reform UK, told the BBC: “This man [Musk] happens to be the richest man in the world, but the fact that he’s bought Twitter gives us a place for proper open debate. We may find some of it offensive, but it’s a good thing.”
He added that public outrage over grooming gangs is justified, saying: “People are asking how this could happen, why it was covered up, and why there’s been no full public inquiry.”
Calls for Accountability
In a letter to the Conservatives, Phillips and Cooper defended the government’s decision to let Oldham Council lead the inquiry, arguing it aligns with victims’ demands for immediate action.
They pointed to the work of an independent review by Mayor Andy Burnham, which spurred a new police investigation into historic abuse in Oldham.
The letter also highlighted findings from the 2022 Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry, which criticised the lack of implementation of its 20 recommendations. Professor Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry, expressed frustration in November that none of these measures had been enacted more than two years later.
Ongoing Investigations and Context
High-profile inquiries in Rotherham, Telford, and other areas have exposed the devastating scale of grooming gang abuse.
A 2023 report revealed that group-based child sexual abuse accounted for 3.7% of all child sexual offences reported to police, with 17% linked to grooming gangs.
Farage’s comments come amid renewed public and political pressure for transparency and action, as the UK grapples with the lasting impact of these scandals.
