British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unequivocally condemned Elon Musk along with right-wing populists for disseminating "lies and misinformation" about grooming gangs. This reaction comes in light of a series of incendiary comments made by the tech billionaire, who has doubled down on his assertions rather than retracting them. Starmer's statements address the government's handling of the turmoil surrounding grooming gangs while emphasizing the critical need for truthful discourse.

In a recent speech addressing NHS reform, Starmer responded to a wave of accusations targeting his administration regarding the grooming gangs scandal. Musk’s accusations have intensified, including claims that the UK government is complicit in mass rapes for political gain. "Those who spread lies and misinformation are not interested in victims; they’re interested in themselves,” Starmer responded, notably angered.

Starmer specifically defended Minister for Safeguarding Jess Phillips, who has received vitriolic attacks from Musk supporters. The billionaire had labeled Phillips as a "witch" and accused her of supporting "genocidal rape abusers." In his defense, Starmer remarked, “Jess Phillips has done a thousand times more than they have ever dreamed about when it comes to protecting victims of sexual abuse.”

Furthermore, Starmer criticized the Conservative Party for failing to condemn Musk's incendiary rhetoric, claiming that such silence amounts to complicity in misinformation. He stated, “When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats, that in my book, means a line has been crossed.” Echoing these sentiments, he asserted that political engagement should be grounded in fact rather than fabrication.

Musk's response to Starmer came promptly, with the billionaire labeling the Prime Minister as "utterly despicable" and accusing him of neglecting the needs of vulnerable girls and their families. On his platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk also provocatively stated that "America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government,” further inflaming tensions regarding his participation in UK political dialogue. His support for controversial figures, including far-right activist Tommy Robinson, adds an additional layer of concern regarding the potential for increased misinformation and division.

Starmer highlighted his track record during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), where he actively oversaw significant prosecutions related to grooming gangs. He underscored his commitment by stating, “When I was DPP, I tackled this issue head-on.” He expressed pride in having reopened closed cases and spearheaded the prosecution of an Asian grooming gang to challenge the prevailing myths obstructing victims from receiving the justice they deserve.

This confrontation reflects a broader struggle over political narratives surrounding sensitive topics in the UK, as misinformation continues to pose challenges within public discourse. For more details, visit the original article on [India Times](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/keir-starmer-slams-elon-musk-for-lies-and-misinformation-on-pakistani-grooming-gangs-crossed-a-line-billionaire-doubles-down/articleshow/116998982.cms).