The UK government's counter-extremism unit is reportedly conducting an investigation into Elon Musk for his criticism of Britain's failure to investigate the nation's infamous "grooming gang" scandal. In recent weeks, the tech mogul has used his social media platform X to launch a series of attacks on the Labour government. Musk's criticism is in response to Jess Phillips, Labour's safeguarding minister, who rejected an inquiry into Muslim Pakistani "grooming gangs" on the grounds that it is not the responsibility of Parliament to investigate the matter, which includes years of alleged child sexual exploitation.
The Mirror reported that the Home Office has increased its oversight to evaluate the reach and content of posts on X, particularly accounts that have a sizable following, like Musk. The counterterrorism unit, which is part of the Homeland Security Group, is involved in risk assessment and content analysis. According to its official government website, the unit's mission "is to reduce national security risks to the UK's people, prosperity, and freedoms."
The counterterrorism unit "focuses on the highest harm risks to the homeland, whether from terrorists, state actors, or cyber and economic criminals," according to the website.
A source within the government told the outlet: "We keep a close eye on how disinformation and hate can proliferate, including online." Musk was monitored immediately after calling for Phillips' arrest and accusing her of being a "rape genocide apologist." The Labour minister has reportedly been assigned a protection detail and instructed not to go out in public alone due to an apparent spike in threats.
On Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Elon Musk of "spreading lies and misinformation" about the scandal, saying the American billionaire had "crossed a line." Musk has also been critical of Starmer for his role in rejecting "grooming gang" inquiries over the past decade.
The grooming gangs, which predominately consist of Pakistani Muslim men, allegedly have sexually abused female children and forced them into prostitution for more than a decade. Journalist Julie Bindel released an investigative report on the grooming gangs in 2006, but authorities refused to investigate the allegations out of fear they would be labeled "racist," according to Bindel. The UK Parliament recently rejected Oldham Council's inquiry into the matter, which sparked the global backlash.
The Mirror reported that the Home Office has increased its oversight to evaluate the reach and content of posts on X, particularly accounts that have a sizable following, like Musk. The counterterrorism unit, which is part of the Homeland Security Group, is involved in risk assessment and content analysis. According to its official government website, the unit's mission "is to reduce national security risks to the UK's people, prosperity, and freedoms."
The counterterrorism unit "focuses on the highest harm risks to the homeland, whether from terrorists, state actors, or cyber and economic criminals," according to the website.
A source within the government told the outlet: "We keep a close eye on how disinformation and hate can proliferate, including online." Musk was monitored immediately after calling for Phillips' arrest and accusing her of being a "rape genocide apologist." The Labour minister has reportedly been assigned a protection detail and instructed not to go out in public alone due to an apparent spike in threats.
On Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Elon Musk of "spreading lies and misinformation" about the scandal, saying the American billionaire had "crossed a line." Musk has also been critical of Starmer for his role in rejecting "grooming gang" inquiries over the past decade.
The grooming gangs, which predominately consist of Pakistani Muslim men, allegedly have sexually abused female children and forced them into prostitution for more than a decade. Journalist Julie Bindel released an investigative report on the grooming gangs in 2006, but authorities refused to investigate the allegations out of fear they would be labeled "racist," according to Bindel. The UK Parliament recently rejected Oldham Council's inquiry into the matter, which sparked the global backlash.
