What Happened?
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed false accusations from Elon Musk on Monday, condemning the billionaire's social media posts regarding child abuse scandals in Britain. Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), accused Starmer of mishandling cases during his tenure as director of public prosecutions.
Key Details
Starmer refuted Musk's claims, stating that during his time at the Crown Prosecution Service (2008–2013), his office prosecuted the first case against an Asian grooming gang.
He emphasized introducing mandatory reporting guidelines for child sex offenses and said all cases were reviewed transparently in court.
Musk accused Starmer and Labour MP Jess Phillips of covering up abuses without presenting evidence.
Starmer’s Response
Starmer criticized the spread of “lies and misinformation,” stating it harms victims and prioritizes personal agendas over justice.
He defended Phillips, calling her a dedicated advocate for victims of sexual abuse, and condemned Musk’s online accusations as crossing a moral line.
“Once we lose the anchor that truth matters, we are on a very slippery slope,” Starmer said.
The Political Context
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a national inquiry into the “rape gangs scandal.” However, Starmer noted existing investigations have thoroughly addressed the issue, including a comprehensive national inquiry concluded in 2022.
Starmer accused some politicians of leveraging divisive rhetoric for political gain, warning that such tactics undermine the integrity of public debate.
What Did Musk Said?
Musk labeled Starmer’s government as "tyrannical" in a pinned post and invited his 210 million X followers to vote on whether the U.S. should “liberate” Britain.
He also demanded “Prison for Starmer,” escalating his attacks.
Why It Matters?
The dispute underscores the growing tension between political leaders and influential tech billionaires over misinformation on social platforms. Starmer’s robust defense signals a refusal to allow false narratives to overshadow facts or derail efforts to address serious issues like child exploitation.
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