Influencer Editorial Team
Jess Phillips Condemns Tech Mogul’s Remarks as “Life-Endangering”
UK Home Office Minister Jess Phillips has accused Elon Musk of spreading dangerous disinformation that has intensified threats against her. The allegations stem from Musk’s public criticisms regarding the handling of grooming gang scandals in the UK, which he has shared on his social media platform X.
Phillips, responsible for safeguarding in the UK government, has faced relentless verbal attacks from Musk, who labeled her an “evil witch” and a “rape genocide apologist” while calling for her imprisonment. Musk’s remarks followed Phillips’ decision to decline Oldham council’s request for a national inquiry into grooming cases, opting instead for a local review.
Controversial Handling of Grooming Scandals
The issue has reignited fierce political debates in Britain. Musk’s demand for a broader national inquiry into historic grooming cases involving predominantly British-Pakistani men has divided opinions. Critics, including Phillips, argue that such rhetoric risks inflaming tensions and undermines established processes for addressing the crimes.
Phillips defended her decision, citing past inquiries in Rotherham and Telford and a national review on child sexual exploitation, which concluded in 2022. Speaking to the BBC, she described the surge in threats against her as exhausting but dismissed attempts to silence her as futile. “I’m no stranger to people who don’t know what they’re talking about trying to silence women like me,” she said.
However, Phillips emphasized that the abuse she has endured pales compared to what victims of the crimes have faced. She criticized Musk’s involvement, suggesting he should focus on his space ventures rather than UK policy.
Broader Political Fallout
Phillips’ stance has drawn mixed responses from political figures. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer strongly supported her, praising her advocacy for victims of abuse. Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick, Shadow Justice Secretary, acknowledged past failures by Conservative administrations to adequately address grooming gangs.
Jenrick also defended his recent remarks linking cultural attitudes among migrants to the scandal, a comment that has drawn sharp criticism. He urged swift implementation of the 2022 inquiry recommendations, which have seen little progress due to political infighting.
Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the national inquiry into child sexual abuse, expressed concerns about the politicization of the issue, warning that calls for new probes could delay meaningful reform. She accused commentators of engaging in “uninformed” arguments that detract from addressing systemic failings.
Amplifying Far-Right Rhetoric?
Starmer has accused some Conservative politicians of echoing far-right narratives while neglecting the issue for over a decade. The Labour leader called for a more unified and informed approach to tackling child sexual exploitation and criticized delays in implementing key recommendations from previous inquiries.
As the controversy unfolds, the debate over how best to handle the grooming scandal remains a flashpoint in British politics, with Phillips at the center of the storm.
