Elon Musk’s censure of the administration’s handling of pampering groups is “misjudged and truly misinformed”, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said. The software tycoon has posted a number of emails on his social media platform X, accusing Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips of being imprisoned and accusing Sir Keir Starmer of not prosecuting grooming groups that consistently abused and raped young women.
Responding to Musk’s opinions, Streeting said,” This state takes the issue of child sexual abuse very really”. He urged Musk to “roll up his sleeves and work with us” in addressing the problem of rape gangs. Musk has also been accused of” sharing things that are factually inaccurate” by the Conservative Party. Streeting said Labour was “in full” about putting the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay to use on Friday when they were visiting a care home in Carlisle.
” Some of the criticisms Elon Musk has made I think are misjudged and certainly misinformed”, he told reporters. ” But we’re willing to work with Elon Musk, who I believe has a significant role to play with his social media platform, to assist us and other nations in addressing these pressing issues. We’d be happy to work with him and raise his sleeves.
While serving as Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ), Musk, a well-known adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, has accused Sir Keir of failing to adequately prosecute grooming gangs. Additionally, he has frequently shared comments from Conservative and Reform UK MPs calling for a national inquiry. After she turned down a request for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, Mussoy further suggested that the council should launch a local inquiry and that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips “deserves to be in prison.”
Senior Tories objected to this decision despite the previous Conservative government’s rejection of a request for a similar request in 2022. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded a comprehensive national public investigation into what she referred to as the “rape gangs scandal” in the UK. However, the party has distanced itself from Musk’s call for Phillips to be jailed, with some members accusing him of spreading misinformation.
Alicia Kearns, the Conservative spokesperson on safeguarding, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Musk had “fallen prone” to sharing information on X “without critically assessing it”. She accused Musk of “drawing attention away from the survivors and victims” and of “lionising individuals like]far-right activist] Tommy Robinson, which is frankly dangerous”.
The Jay Inquiry
There have been multiple investigations into the systematic abuse of young girls by organised grooming gangs in areas including Rotherham, Rochdale, Cornwall, and Derbyshire. Health Minister Andrew Gwynne made the suggestion earlier on Friday that Musk “needed to concentrate” on US politics, where he is scheduled to serve as a Trump administration’s unelected adviser on cutting federal spending. Gwynne stated in a statement to LBC Radio that grooming is a “very serious issue,” citing the extensive investigations and inquiries that have already taken place.
” There comes a point where we don’t need more inquiries”, Gwynne said. Elon Musk might have recognized that there have already been significant inquiries had he paid closer attention to what’s been happening in this country.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse ( IICSA ), which released its most recent report in 2022, described child sexual abuse as an “epidemic that leaves tens of thousands of victims in its wake.” The inquiry consolidated findings from numerous previous investigations and conducted its own. Professor Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry, expressed frustration in 2022 that none of her report’s 20 recommendations had been implemented. ” This is a difficult subject, but essential for public understanding”, she said. ” It doesn’t need more consultation or research—it just needs to be done”.
The Rotherham Scandal
Musk’s comments were sparked by the Rotherham grooming scandal, which was detailed in a 2014 report by Alexis Jay. The report found that there were systemic failings that contributed to the abuse of roughly 1,400 children over the course of 16 years. Many victims, some as young as 11, were subjected to rape, trafficking, and severe physical and emotional harm. Despite mounting evidence, authorities reacted by failing to act despite fears of being labeled racists, with the majority of the perpetrators having been of Pakistani descent.
The scandal’s aftermath sparked outcry and numerous reform calls. Several officials resigned, and a few perpetrators were prosecuted, but critics argue that justice for the victims remains incomplete. Recommendations from the Jay Report included improved risk assessments, extended victim support, and stronger accountability within institutions. Systemic failures and cultural sensibilities continue to impede meaningful reform, though.
Lessons and the Way Forward
The Rotherham scandal uncovered the dangers of institutional apathy and the negative effects of placing political sensibilities before children’s safety. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse advocated for a balanced approach that considered both ensuring justice and protecting the rights of the most vulnerable. Professor Jay’s recommendations emphasised robust training, education, and accountability measures to prevent such failures in the future.
The Rotherham scandal is a stark reminder of the value of systemic error and a plea for action for governments, law enforcement, and society to prioritize accountability and justice for survivors.
