UK PM Starmer hits back against Musk attacks on child grooming gangs: ‘Lies and misinformation’
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced criticism over his handling of the child grooming gang scandal that has plagued the nation for years. The scandal, which involved gangs of predominantly South Asian or British Pakistani men exploiting and abusing children in towns in northern England, resurfaced recently with calls for a national inquiry.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, drew attention to the issue by demanding action from the government. He criticized the government’s rejection of a call for a new national inquiry into the handling of authorities’ actions in Oldham. Home Office Minister Jess Phillips suggested that any inquiry should be organized locally, sparking further controversy.
In response to Musk’s comments, Starmer defended his record as a prosecutor during the time of the scandal. He emphasized that he had reopened closed cases and changed the prosecution approach to address the abuse. Starmer also condemned the spread of misinformation and lies by individuals who were more interested in self-promotion than in supporting the victims of the grooming gang scandal.
Musk and other conservative officials, including Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch, continued to push for a full inquiry into the scandal. Musk went as far as calling for King Charles III to intervene in the matter. He accused the government of complicity in covering up the scandal and called for the prosecution of Starmer and Phillips.
The heated exchange between Starmer and Musk highlighted the deep divide in opinions on how to address the grooming gang scandal. While Starmer emphasized the importance of facts and truth in addressing the issue, Musk accused him of ignoring the pleas of victims and their families for political gain.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the grooming gang scandal underscores the need for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. As the debate continues, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of the victims and ensure that justice is served.
