Elon Musk has said Reform UK needs a “new leader” because Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes”.
The X owner posted the tweet on Sunday following days of headlines over his comments about the historic grooming scandal that took place across UK towns and cities more than a decade ago.
Mr Musk, who has spoken positively about Reform UK on his social media platform and who met Mr Farage at the end of last year, has been highly critical of the government’s response.
He has singled out Sir Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips for criticism, arguing that the prime minister failed to bring “rape gangs” to justice while he led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
And he said the “real reason” why Ms Phillips had rejected requests from Oldham Council for a government-led review into cases of child sexual exploitation in Oldham was because investigating it “would obviously lead to the blaming of Keir Stamer (head of the CPS at the time).”
Despite Mr Farage and the Conservatives both agreeing with Mr Musk’s calls for a national inquiry into the grooming gang scandal, a divide has emerged over the the tech tycoon’s support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson, who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.
Mr Musk has endorsed the far-right activist and claimed Robinson was “telling the truth” about grooming gangs, writing on X: “Free Tommy Robinson”.
Yesterday at a party conference, Reform leader Mr Farage distanced himself from Robinson, saying the jailed activist was “not what we need”.
Asked about Mr Musk’s support for Robinson, Mr Farage told GB News: “He sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs. But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court.”
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