Wes Streeting Hits Back at Elon Musk, Invites Him to Join Fight Against Child Abuse
In a striking exchange between one of Britain’s most prominent politicians and the world’s wealthiest man, Labour’s Wes Streeting has responded to Elon Musk’s scathing critique of the UK government’s handling of child grooming gangs. Branding the billionaire’s comments “ill-informed,” Streeting extended an olive branch, urging Musk to turn his critiques into action by joining Labour’s efforts to tackle child abuse.
Streeting, a self-professed Christian who recently spoke about his faith to Premier, said, “Fundamentally, I’m a Christian. I believe in God, and I subscribe to the fundamental tenets of our faith.” His values of compassion and action, he suggested, shape his approach to addressing the complex issue of safeguarding vulnerable children.
The controversy erupted after Musk, on his social media platform X, took aim at Jess Phillips MP, Labour’s shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding. Musk accused Phillips of downplaying the severity of abuse in Oldham by supporting a local council inquiry rather than pushing for a second national investigation. Musk’s incendiary claim that Phillips “deserves to be in prison” drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with many branding it an inflammatory attack.
Streeting, speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, was unequivocal in his condemnation of Musk’s remarks, calling them “a disgraceful smear.” He emphasized that Labour is committed to implementing the recommendations of the groundbreaking Alexis Jay inquiry, which extensively examined systemic failures in handling child sexual exploitation in the UK.
“We are getting on with the job,” Streeting asserted during a visit to a care home in Carlisle this Friday. “Some of the criticisms Elon Musk has made I think are misjudged and certainly misinformed. But we’re willing to work with Elon Musk, who I think has got a big role to play with his social media platform to help us and other countries tackle these serious issues.”
Rather than engage in a war of words, Streeting offered a challenge to Musk: “If he wants to work with us and roll his sleeves up, we’d welcome that.”
Musk’s Growing Political Footprint
Musk’s comments mark yet another instance of the tech mogul wading into British politics. In 2023, Musk met with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as part of discussions on AI governance and tech regulation. He has also aligned himself with controversial political figures, including Nigel Farage, and has been an outspoken supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Critics have accused Musk of weaponizing his platform to amplify divisive rhetoric—a charge that resurfaced following his latest remarks.
For many, Musk’s interventions highlight the growing influence of tech billionaires on global political discourse. With X being a major platform for both information and misinformation, Streeting’s call for collaboration underscores the role social media companies play in shaping narratives around sensitive issues like child abuse.
A Shared Responsibility
Streeting’s measured response reflects his broader approach to governance—rooted in his Christian faith and a commitment to practical solutions. By inviting Musk to move beyond criticism and engage in the difficult work of safeguarding children, Streeting signals Labour’s willingness to collaborate across boundaries for the greater good.
The UK government’s efforts to tackle child grooming gangs remain a critical issue, and public figures like Musk wield significant influence in shaping how these matters are perceived worldwide. Whether Musk will accept Streeting’s challenge and use his platform to aid, rather than critique, remains to be seen. For now, Streeting’s invitation stands as a reminder that tackling such systemic problems requires both courage and cooperation.
