Sir Keir Starmer has robustly defended his record on prosecuting child grooming gangs, accusing those who criticise him of “spreading lies and misinformation” and failing to care about victims. The row has escalated as Tesla owner Elon Musk continues to attack the Prime Minister over his tenure as England and Wales’ chief prosecutor.
Musk, who owns X (formerly Twitter), has accused Starmer of being “complicit in the crimes” of child sex offenders during his time as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) from 2008 to 2013. Musk has also called for a national investigation into child sexual abuse and referred to Home Office minister Jess Phillips as a “rape genocide apologist,” a remark that has drawn widespread condemnation.
Starmer responded sharply, stating that Musk’s comments had crossed a line and were an attempt to distort the truth. Writing in The Sun, the Prime Minister highlighted his efforts to overhaul the justice system during his time as chief prosecutor, ensuring that perpetrators of child grooming were prosecuted.
“My fight to change the way the prosecution service operated is a matter of public record,” Starmer wrote. “Making sure the men responsible for these despicable acts were brought to justice. Put in the dock. Then behind bars. That is why I brought the first prosecution for a grooming gang. Far-right voices have tried to rewrite history.”
Starmer also took aim at those supporting far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. “Those spreading lies and misinformation are not interested in the victims. Those cheerleading for Tommy Robinson — a thug who was jailed for almost collapsing a grooming case — are not interested in justice. They are only interested in themselves,” he added.
Calls for a new national inquiry
The debate over how the UK has handled grooming gangs has reignited calls for a national inquiry. Starmer acknowledged the necessity of such investigations, pointing to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) chaired by Professor Alexis Jay.
The inquiry, which spanned several years, made numerous recommendations, including mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. Starmer called on the Government to prioritise implementing these measures rather than engaging in political posturing.
“The protection of institutions must never be put before the protection of children,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in the Commons. Cooper pledged that the Government would soon begin implementing mandatory reporting requirements and hinted at criminal sanctions for professionals who fail to comply. She also announced a “significant package of measures” aimed at combating online child sexual exploitation.
Professor Jay distanced herself from calls for a new inquiry, stressing the importance of implementing the recommendations of her investigation. “It is critical that the measures we proposed are carried out in full,” she said.
Political fallout
The Conservatives have seized on the issue, accusing Starmer of dismissing legitimate concerns. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated, “It is not far-right to stand up for victims of mass rape. Smearing people who raised those issues is exactly how this ended up getting covered up in the first place.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch plans to escalate the issue in Parliament, proposing an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing Bill that would mandate a full national inquiry. The Prime Minister, however, has accused the Conservatives of “jumping on that bandwagon” for political gain.
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Starmer’s spokesman clarified that not all individuals calling for new inquiries are aligned with far-right groups. However, the Prime Minister remains adamant that focusing on implementing existing recommendations is the most effective way to protect victims and prevent future abuse.
A clash of titans
The ongoing feud between Starmer and Musk has added a dramatic twist to an already contentious issue. Musk’s social media platform, X, has become a battleground for debates on the Prime Minister’s handling of grooming gangs and broader social issues. The Tesla billionaire’s outspoken support for figures like Tommy Robinson has further polarised opinions.
Despite the criticism, Starmer has refused to back down. His response underscores his belief in prioritising justice for victims over engaging with what he describes as “misinformation campaigns.”
As the political and public debate rages on, the focus now shifts to the Government’s next steps in implementing measures to combat child sexual abuse and ensuring justice for the victims of grooming gangs. Whether the clash between Starmer and Musk will influence this remains to be seen.
