Relations between the British government and Elon Musk have become further strained after a new series of public criticisms made by the boss of , triggering mixed reactions within the political class. Since Labor led by Keir Starmer came to power in July, he has not spared his harsh comments on the situation in the United Kingdom.
In addition to his criticism of the state of the country, he recently targeted the way in which the authorities handled a sexual exploitation scandal involving more than 1,500 young girls, mostly minors, over several decades. Most of the perpetrators of these crimes were men of Pakistani origin, which at the time fueled far-right rhetoric accusing local and national authorities of inaction for fear of being perceived as racist.
Denunciation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer
In a series of messages published or rebroadcast on not been properly pursued. “In the UK, serious crimes like rape require approval from the CPS before police can charge suspects. Who was in charge of the CPS when gangs of rapists were able to exploit young girls without having to face justice? Keir Starmer,” Elon Musk wrote in a tweet that sparked many reactions.
The British government, visibly annoyed by these repeated attacks, however sought to adopt a moderate position in its official response. “I think some of the criticisms that Elon Musk has made are errors of judgment and (are) certainly misinformed,” Health Minister Wes Streeting said on ITV News. Despite these strong words, he nevertheless reached out to the billionaire, emphasizing the need for cooperation to combat such serious problems.
In favor of a far-right activist
Beyond the accusations against the British government, Elon Musk also took a position in favor of the release of Tommy Robinson, far-right activist and founder of the English Defense League. Robinson was sentenced in late October to 18 months in prison for violating a court injunction prohibiting him from making defamatory accusations against a Syrian refugee. Elon Musk portrayed Tommy Robinson as an activist who spoke out against sexual abuse, which sparked reactions of disapproval, including from some figures on the British radical right.
Our file on Elon Musk
Since these statements, Keir Starmer’s government has opted for a strategy of appeasement, refusing to enter into a prolonged controversy with Elon Musk. However, the latter’s incessant criticism and support for controversial figures like Tommy Robinson are straining relations between the British government and the American tycoon, who remains an influential figure in the global media and political sphere.
Source: www.20minutes.fr
