Keir Starmer has strongly condemned Elon Musk and the far-right for spreading misinformation regarding child sexual exploitation, asserting that they have “crossed a line” with their offensive remarks. This comes after Musk, the tech billionaire, and others unleashed a torrent of personal abuse against Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips during a recent online feud.

Starmer's rebuke follows serious threats made against Phillips, which he attributes to the “poison of the far right.” He remarked during a speech at Epsom hospital, “Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they’re not interested in victims. They’re interested in themselves.” These comments were directed at right-wing figures, including those associated with Tommy Robinson, who has been implicated in undermining child exploitation cases.

Musk had referred to Phillips derogatorily, calling her a “witch” and suggesting she “deserves to be in prison” for her actions related to child sexual exploitation inquiries. In response, Starmer defended Phillips, stating, “Jess has done a thousand times more than they've even dreamt about when it comes to protecting victims of sexual abuse.” Furthermore, he highlighted the longstanding failure to address child sexual exploitation issues adequately, asserting, “For many years too many victims have been completely let down.”

The controversy escalated when Musk tweeted accusations against Starmer, claiming his complicity in past government failures regarding the issue. In his defense, Starmer emphasized his record as the director of public prosecutions, where he pioneered significant prosecutions against grooming gangs, including the landmark case in Rochdale.

In another striking criticism, Starmer pointed out the lack of condemnation from the Conservative Party regarding Musk's vitriolic attacks, stating, “I’m very concerned about where the Tory party is going on this.” He underscored the importance of holding a principled position concerning misinformation, especially when it leads to real threats against public figures.

Starmer also challenged the notion that further inquiries are necessary, arguing that the focus should now shift to immediate action rather than endless reviews. He remarked, “The utterly sickening issue does not need any more consultations; it just needs action.” His comments reflect a broader frustration with political grandstanding that seems to accompany serious issues like child abuse.

The entire debacle has taken on a larger significance in the realm of public discourse, intertwining issues of misinformation, political integrity, and social media influence. As Starmer put it, “This isn’t about America or Musk, I’m talking about our politics,” highlighting the insidious effects of misleading narratives on public safety and perception.

Starmer's statements can be read in detail at The Guardian and at The Independent.