‘Misjudged and misinformed’: UK minister rebukes Elon Musk over 'rape gangs' comments

A senior British government minister has dismissed Elon Musk's recent criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's role in addressing child grooming scandals as "misjudged and certainly misinformed."
Musk, in a series of posts on his social media platform X, accused Starmer of failing to bring“rape gangs” to justice during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from 2008 to 2013.
Health secretary

Wes Streeting

responded to Musk’s allegations in an interview with ITV News on Friday.
"Some of the criticisms that Elon Musk has made, I think, are misjudged and certainly misinformed," Streeting said, emphasising the government's commitment to tackling

child sexual exploitation

. However, he extended an olive branch, adding, "We’re willing to work with Elon Musk, who I think has got a big role to play with his social media platform to help us and other countries to tackle this serious issue."

Focus on child sexual exploitation

The controversy stems from historical child exploitation cases in towns like Rochdale, Rotherham, and Oldham, where systemic failures by local authorities allowed widespread abuse of vulnerable girls to go unchecked. A 2022 inquiry into Oldham found serious lapses in safeguarding measures but no evidence of a cover-up.
Despite Musk's claim that Starmer played a role in preventing justice, no official inquiries have implicated him in obstructing prosecutions due to fears of Islamophobia. The scandals, involving perpetrators predominantly of South Asian Muslim descent and white female victims, remain a flashpoint for far-right groups, with Musk’s posts amplifying divisive narratives.

Musk’s online commentary

Musk’s remarks extended beyond the grooming cases. He suggested that Jess Phillips, minister for the prevention of violence against women and girls, "deserves to be in prison" for opposing a national inquiry into the Oldham scandal, and expressed support for controversial far-right figure Tommy Robinson, who is currently jailed for contempt of court. Musk described Robinson as being imprisoned "for telling the truth" and demanded his release.
Musk also targeted Starmer’s government, accusing it of complicity and calling for new elections despite the Labour Party’s landslide victory in July 2024.
Musk’s comments have fueled discussions on his growing influence in UK politics. According to political analyst Patrick Maguire, Musk has transitioned from a "commentator to a power player" in British political discourse. He has recently voiced support for Nigel Farage's Reform UK party and has been accused of bolstering far-right movements across Europe.