UK PM slams politicians, activists spreading misinformation on grooming gangs

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticized politicians and activists for "spreading lies and misinformation" about grooming gangs, following recent comments by Elon Musk.

Thus, the multi-billionaire accused Labour leader Starmer of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) between 2008 and 2013 for not addressing grooming gangs, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Musk's comments have sparked calls from senior Conservatives and Reform UK MPs for a national inquiry into child sexual exploitation. In response, Starmer accused opposition MPs of "jumping on a bandwagon" and amplifying far-right rhetoric for political gain.

“I’m very concerned about where the Tory party is going on this, in this country … I think only a few months ago it would have been unthinkable for things to be said about Jess Phillips that were said recently without all political parties, and the leader of the opposition, calling it out in terms,” Starmer said.

He continued, “I genuinely believe that. I don’t think it was that long ago that you would have all expected that reaction. You’d have all been challenging the leader of the opposition, ‘Will you denounce this? This isn’t fair, because it’s put a member of parliament, my member of parliament, at risk.’”

Starmer emphasized that the issue was not about Musk or America but rather about the responsibility of politicians to call out harmful rhetoric and stand in solidarity with those targeted by it. “That’s not good. That’s why I say a line’s been crossed. So this isn’t about America or Musk. I’m talking about our politics. I’m talking about the responsibility that our politicians have in calling this out for what it is, and distancing themselves and condemning it,” he added.

He then directed his comments towards Conservative MPs: “Because if you’re not prepared to stand up as a Tory MP and denounce what’s been said about Jess Phillips, who’s now had threats made to her, then you need to seriously consider why you’re in politics in the first place.”

The comments come amid controversy surrounding Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Minister for Women and Equalities, who has supported calls for a new inquiry into child sexual exploitation. Badenoch published an article in The Mail on Sunday explaining her stance on the matter, which was praised by Musk on social media.

“Good on Kemi Badenoch!” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter), where he has also made headlines for his remarks about Phillips.

Although Badenoch has not endorsed Musk’s recent remarks about Phillips, she has not publicly criticized them either. On social media yesterday, Badenoch defended Conservative colleague Robert Jenrick, who faced accusations of making inflammatory comments about race.

“We MUST be free to have tough conversations, no matter how difficult that may be to hear,” she stated.

By Aghakazim Guliyev