Elon Musk has caused anger by calling for the release of Tommy Robinson and accusing Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute child rapists in Oldham in Greater Manchester.
The billionaire ally of Donald Trump pinned a message at the top of his X feed overnight saying “Free Tommy Robinson!”, tagging the far-right activist who is in jail for contempt of court.
As well as a number of messages in support of Robinson, Musk posted several times about rape gangs in Rochdale and Oldham, attacking the prime minister and the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, over their responses to the scandal.
In one post Musk said: “In the UK, serious crimes such as rape require the Crown Prosecution Service’s approval for the police to charge suspects. Who was the head of the CPS when rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice? Keir Starmer, 2008-2013.”
He added that Phillips “deserved to be in prison” after she said it was for Oldham council to call an inquiry into child exploitation there, rather than the national government.
In another he said: “The real reason she’s refusing to investigate the rape gangs is that it would obviously lead to the blaming of Keir Stamer (head of the [Crown Prosecution Service] at the time).”
Musk reposted several comments calling for the release of Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who was jailed last October for repeating false allegations about a Syrian refugee.
Musk’s latest intervention in British politics has caused anger among Labour MPs, many of whom have been pushing the government to stop posting on X.
skip past newsletter promotion
after newsletter promotion
‘Trump is a little guy, Musk is a big guy’: historian predicts trouble for president-elect
The Tesla co-founder and X owner has repeatedly attacked Starmer over the prime minister’s response to the UK riots last summer. He is reported to be considering donating as much as $100m (£80m) to Reform UK, and was pictured alongside the party’s leader, Nigel Farage, and its treasurer, Nick Candy, two weeks ago.
Musk’s posts overnight are his most explicit endorsement yet of the British far right and come after he promised to support the German anti-migration party Alternative für Deutschland.
One MP said: “[Musk] has pushed it too far this time. Twitter [now X] is really rapidly becoming a cess pit, even for disinterested non-partisan types.”
Several ministers said they thought this should be the trigger for the government to leave Musk’s platform. Others, however, warned that doing so could cause a diplomatic incident given Musk’s role in the incoming Trump administration.
Downing Street declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Reform UK would not say whether the billionaire’s endorsement of Robinson – a divisive figure within the party – would change its willingness to accept his money.
A spokesperson for Oldham council said: “Survivors sit at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation. Whatever happens in terms of future inquiries, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount, and we will not renege on that pledge.
“We all recognise that terrible mistakes were made in the past, with children ignored or dismissed. By ensuring that survivors have a voice that is heard, we can help make sure that no child will be failed in the future.”
