In a surprising turn of events, Errol Musk, the father of tech billionaire Elon Musk, has publicly advised the people of the United Kingdom to disregard his son’s recent comments on British politics. Speaking to LBC News, Errol Musk expressed his disapproval of Elon’s foray into UK political discourse, emphasising that wealth and fame should not lend undue weight to his opinions. The controversy revolves around Elon Musk’s statements on social media, where he criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other political figures over their handling of a sensitive issue involving “Pakistani grooming gangs.” The incident has sparked widespread debate, drawing reactions from political leaders, public figures, and Elon’s father himself.
Errol Musk’s perspective on Elon Musk’s political commentary
In his interview, Errol Musk made it clear that he believes his son’s comments should not be given undue attention. “Just don’t listen to him, that’s all. I’d say don’t worry about it. Tell him to get lost,” he said. He went on to downplay the significance of Elon’s remarks, asserting that the billionaire’s opinions hold no more value than those of countless others expressing similar sentiments online.
“People don’t have to listen to what he says. I mean he’s just a person. The fact that he has money or something, he’s a billionaire or something to that effect—I mean, hundreds of thousands of people are tweeting the same things or saying the same things as he is,” Errol Musk added, as per reports. His comments reflect a broader concern about the influence of high-profile individuals on public discourse.
Elon Musk’s claims against Keir Starmer
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), stirred controversy when he accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being complicit in the actions of “Pakistani grooming gangs.” These gangs, predominantly consisting of men of South Asian origin, were implicated in the systematic sexual abuse of young girls in northern English towns such as Rochdale, Rotherham, and Oldham between 2008 and 2013.
Musk alleged that Starmer, who served as head of the UK’s prosecution service during the period, prioritized political gains over justice for victims. In a series of posts on X, Musk stated, “Starmer must go and he must face charges for his complicity in the worst mass crime in the history of Britain.” He further claimed that many individuals in positions of power in the UK should face legal consequences for their alleged roles in covering up the scandal.
Musk also directed criticism at UK safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, labeling her a “rape genocide apologist” and accusing her of failing to address issues related to child abuse. He called for a new inquiry into the grooming gangs, despite the conclusion of a years-long national investigation into child sexual exploitation in 2022.
Keir Starmer’s response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer firmly rejected Musk’s accusations, describing them as baseless and harmful. Without directly naming Musk, Starmer criticized those spreading misinformation, stating, “Those who are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible are not interested in victims; they’re interested in themselves.”
Starmer warned that such rhetoric could have dangerous consequences, including threats and intimidation against public figures. “We have seen this playbook many times—whipping up intimidation and threats of violence, hoping that the media will amplify it. When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats to Jess Phillips and others, then in my book a line has been crossed,” he added.
Global reactions to Elon Musk’s comments
Elon Musk’s involvement in UK politics has drawn international attention, with reactions ranging from support to criticism. On X, Musk conducted a poll asking whether Americans should “liberate” the British from their “tyrannical government,” further fueling the controversy.
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in, expressing concerns about Musk’s growing interference in European political matters. Macron’s remarks echo broader apprehensions about the influence of high-profile individuals like Musk on sensitive political issues.
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