Who is Tommy Robinson and why does Elon Musk want him freed from jail?
NBCJan 01
UK: Prime Minister Starmer Criticizes Musk Claims
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Above: Prime Minister Keir Starmer gives a speech on reducing NHS wait times as he visits a healthcare provider in Surrey on Jan. 6, 2025 in Epsom, UK. Image copyright: Leon Neal/Staff/Getty Images via Getty Images
The Facts
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused politicians and social media figures of having "crossed a line" and "spreading lies and misinformation" surrounding himself, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, and the Labour government concerning their role in alleged child grooming and sexual abuse.
Since the start of 2025 members of both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have called for a national inquiry into child grooming gangs after it was reported that Phillips had rejected a request by Oldham Council, who instead recommended that the local body commission its own inquiry.
On social media platform X, Elon Musk has since described Phillips as a "rape genocide apologist," accused Starmer of complicity in child rape gangs during his time as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008-2013, and has alleged that Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner for "telling the truth" concerning the controversy.
The Spin
Left narrative
Starmer's tenure at the CPS showed accountable leadership by driving reforms that improved justice for abuse victims. In contrast, Elon Musk's unfounded claims have spread misinformation and created division. While Starmer focuses on systemic change and supporting victims, Musk's inflammatory rhetoric distracts from real progress. Leadership should prioritize truth and solutions, not harmful provocations.
Right narrative
Keir Starmer's handling of the grooming gang scandal raises serious concerns. Labeling criticism as "far-right misinformation" dismisses valid public outrage and avoids addressing systemic failures that left victims unprotected. Rejecting a national inquiry denies justice to those affected and erodes trust. Leadership should prioritize accountability and action, not deflection and politicized narratives.
