Nigel Farage has defended Elon Musk after the billionaire attacked the UK government's response to grooming gangs on X, the social media platform he owns. In a series of posts over several days, Musk suggested Sir Keir Starmer failed to prosecute gangs and said Home Office minister Jess Phillips "deserves to be in prison".

Billionaire and owner of X Elon Musk has attacked Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government over its response to grooming gangs in the UK. Pressure has mounted on the prime minister after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips denied requests for the Home Office to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming in Oldham.

Sir Keir Starmer is being assailed by both the Tories and Elon Musk over his handling of the Oldham grooming gangs scandal, in an explosive row which threatens to overshadow the return of parliament.S

Nigel Farage has vowed to “explain” to Elon Musk why he won’t co-operate with Tommy Robinson. The billionaire owner of X, who has hinted at a possible donation to Farage’s Reform, has shown support for the jailed activist on social media.

Nigel Farage has distanced himself from Tommy Robinson after Elon Musk swung behind the jailed political activist, calling for his release. The Reform UK leader said Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is “not what we need”, as his party seeks to challenge Labour in upcoming elections.

With Musk said to be minded to give Reform UK a sizeable donation, Farage believes he remains "very helpful" to the party's cause. On Friday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting hit out at Musk's attack on the government's handling of grooming gangs, calling it "misjudged and certainly misinformed".