After Musk criticism, UK’s Starmer slams those ‘spreading lies and misinformation’ online
Starmer defended his record as a prosecutor against Musk’s attacks over historical child rape crimes in the UK, criticising those spreading lies and far-right agitators
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday defended his record and slammed those “spreading lies” following days of hostile attacks from Elon Musk over historical child rape crimes in northern England.
Starmer launched a full-throated defence of his time more than a decade ago as the UK’s top prosecutor, after the US tech billionaire launched a tirade of critical posts on social media.
Focusing on historical scandals involving paedophile grooming gangs that first emerged during Starmer’s tenure as director of public prosecutions, Musk has in recent days assailed him and other Labour figures over the issue.
On Monday, Musk called Starmer “utterly despicable” in a social media post, writing that “ … Starmer repeatedly ignored the pleas of vast numbers of little girls and their parents, in order to secure political support. Starmer is utterly despicable.”
Musk’s tirade, which included demands for a new public inquiry into the scandal, has prompted some UK opposition politicians to join in the criticism and calls for a fresh national probe.
The issue has long been seized upon by far-right figures, in particular the imprisoned Tommy Robinson, one of Britain’s best known far-right agitators, whom Musk has praised.
Responding to numerous media questions on the topic, Starmer insisted he was “not going to individualise this to Elon Musk” but said “a line has been crossed” with some of the criticism.
