Elon Musk demands Keir Starmer’s resignation: Why world's richest man slammed UK PM over 'Pakistani grooming gangs'?

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has ignited a political storm in the UK with a series of controversial posts targeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour government. Musk accused Starmer of failing to take action against grooming gangs during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from 2008 to 2013, alleging that his leadership allowed "rape gangs" to exploit vulnerable girls without facing justice.

In his posts, Musk also criticised Jess Phillips, the UK safeguarding minister, accusing her of shielding Starmer by rejecting calls for a public inquiry into grooming scandals in Oldham. Musk went as far as calling Phillips a "rape genocide apologist" and demanded a national inquiry and a general election. The Labour government swiftly rejected Musk's claims, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling them "misjudged and misinformed."

Starmer must go. He is national embarrassment. https://t.co/kAsE2KHMpV

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 5, 2025

Musk's comments have brought the issue of grooming gang scandals back into the spotlight. Investigations into cases in towns like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford revealed widespread abuse, often involving men of Pakistani descent. These cases led to accusations that authorities failed to act due to fears of being seen as racist.

The 2022 Oldham inquiry found safeguarding failures but no evidence of organised exploitation. National inquiries like the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) have repeatedly highlighted systemic gaps in the UK's child protection system.

Musk's comments have drawn criticism from those who accuse him of spreading misinformation, particularly after he expressed support for far-right figures like Tommy Robinson, currently in prison for contempt of court. Musk also aligned himself with the anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, but recently distanced himself from Farage, saying the party needs a new leader.

This political drama has sparked debate in the UK, with Musk’s comments challenging the Labour government and reigniting concerns over child exploitation cases.