Amid constant attacks from Elon Musk, Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at those “spreading lies” online about the grooming gangs scandal, saying such people are “not interested in victims”. It came after the prime minister unveiled his plan to reform the NHS and cut waiting lists.
Monday 6 January 2025 10:58, UK
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Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby is next to question the prime minister, asking him about comments made by Tesla boss Elon Musk about Jess Phillips.
Mr Musk called the safeguarding minister an “evil witch” and a “rape genocide apologist” and said she should be put in jail.
“I think most people are more interested in what’s going to happen to the NHS frankly than what’s happening on Twitter,” Sir Keir Starmer replies.
But, he adds that: “Child sexual exploitation is utterly sickening and for many years too many victims have been completely let down by perverse ideas about community relations.
“They have not been listened to, and they have not been heard.”
Referring specifically to the comments made about Ms Phillips, he says: “Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and wide as possible are not interested in victims.”
“Those attacking Jess Phillips, who I am proud to call a colleague and friend, are not protecting victims. Jess Phillips has done a thousand times more than they’ve ever dreamed about when it comes to protecting victims of sexual abuse.
“I’m prepared to call this out for what it is… the whipping up of intimidation and threats of violence, hoping the media will amplify it.”
Away from the NHS and Elon Musk, Sir Keir Starmer is asked if he has confidence in corruption minister Tulip Siddiq.
This is over Ms Siddiq’s links to her aunt, the ousted former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina.
This includes allegations about gifted properties that she lived in.
In response, the prime minister says Ms Siddiq has referred herself to Sir Laurie Magnus, the government’s advisor on ministerial standards.
He adds he has full confidence in the minister.
And with that, Sir Keir finishes his question and answer session.
Sir Keir Starmer is challenged on his stance that there should not be a nationwide inquiry into child sex abuse.
He highlights there have been previous investigations, and more than 20 recommendations were made in a report in 2022.
None of these were fully implemented by the last government, he says.
He says for Kemi Badenoch to call for an inquiry when her government didn’t implement the previous recommendations shows “trying to get noticed is more important” than the issue itself.
He says for those concerned about child sex exploitation, it’s “time to get on with it” and implement all the recommendations.
The prime minister has said a “line has been crossed” with comments made about Jess Phillips.
Sir Keir Starmer has been asked several questions about comments made about his safeguarding minister by Elon Musk, who called her an “evil witch” and a “rape genocide apologist”.
He says that not too long ago, all politicians would have stood up and spoken out against such comments, which have led to Ms Phillips receiving threats, but that hasn’t been the case.
“If you’re not prepared to stand up as a Tory MP and denounce what’s being said about Jess Phillips… then you need to seriously consider why you’re in politics in the first place in my view,” he adds.
“I’m very concerned about where the Tory party is going on this.
“This isn’t fair because it has put a member of parliament, my member of parliament, at risk, that’s not good. That’s why I say a line has been crossed.”
Sir Keir Starmer is asked if he intends to take legal action against Elon Musk after he called for the PM to be in prison.
He does not address the question directly, but says he is commenting on the “nature of politics”.
“Once we lose the anchor that truth matters in the robust debate, we must have, then we’re on a very slippery slope.
“And when politicians, and I mean politicians, who sat in government for many years, are casual about honesty, decency, truth, and the rule of law, calling for inquiries because they want to jump on the bandwagon of the far right when that affects politics, because, a robust debate can only be based on the true facts.”
It appeared to be an attack on the likes of shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who have both been critical of Sir Keir recently.
‘It used to matter to all parties’
The PM adds: “That’s why I want to call this out, because I think it really matters.
“And it matters not just to me, not just to the Labour Party, but it ought to matter, and it used to matter to all political parties.
“And it’s a sign of where the Tory party have got to that… we’re even having this debate.”
The first question to Sir Keir Starmer brings up Elon Musk’s latest social media posts – including the Tesla boss calling for the UK to be “liberated” from the Labour Party.
The prime minister says he doesn’t “really have any comment on the particular comment that was made” by the X chief.
He is also asked if the prioritisation of GPs will come at the cost of A&E waiting times.
The prime minister says he does not accept the idea the government can only tackle one issue at the time – and says “we can walk and chew gum here, and we’re going to do that”.
The prime minister says patients need greater flexibility over their appointments, and wants to leverage “the power of the NHS app”.
Sir Keir Starmer says the health service needs to be “fit for the future”, shifting treatment away from hospitals and delivering more care at GPs and within the community.
He adds this will make a “massive difference” to waiting times.
He says community diagnostic centres will be opened, and they will operate for 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
‘Too much money is wasted’
“If you need a scan or an x-ray, you get it done more quickly and at your convenience,” he adds.
“Far too much money is wasted in inefficient care, and it has to stop because we can’t afford it.”
He says there will also be a new agreement between the NHS and the private health care sector to ensure facilities are more readily available to the NHS.
“This year we will show that Britain can change its country and politics can be a force for good,” he adds.
Speaking at a hospital in Surrey, Sir Keir Starmer begins outlining his plans for the NHS.
He says the government is “rebuilding Britain” with rebuilding the NHS at the core.
The PM says principles of the service, like being free at the point of use and treatment according to need, will be maintained, but says it “must” become more digital and advances – and should be “hungry” for change.
Sir Keir says more of the health service’s features need to be accessible on smartphones, noting how millions are used to using their devices for shopping and “even to find love”, and says the UK can be a leader in AI too.
He goes on to say the NHS cannot become a “national money pit”, with productivity 11% below what it was heading into COVID.
“Working people can’t be expected to subsidise the current levels of care, with ever rising taxes,” he says. “That is the price of ducking reform and I won’t stand for it.”
‘This is the year we reform the NHS’
Sir Keir says the system hasn’t been delivering “the results that we need for patients or for staff” – and this is the “cut and dry argument” for reform.
He promises more money for the NHS, but says this will not be used for “piping over the cracks”.
“Now this is the year we roll up our sleeves and reform the NHS.
“A new era of convenience and care, faster treatment at your fingertips, patients in control – an NHS fit for the future,” the PM says.
Sir Keir Starmer is beginning the first working week of 2025 with a speech outlining his plans for the NHS.
The prime minister will detail how his government aims to cut waiting lists and may also face questions from journalists about the latest criticism from a certain Elon Musk.
Watch live in the stream below or at the top of this page, and we’ll bring you rolling updates too.
It’s back to school for politicians today – a classic moment for prime ministers to attempt to seize the agenda with a new year speech setting out their vision for the year ahead.
With the health service under extreme winter pressure, it’s an apt moment for Sir Keir Starmer to appear at a hospital to tell the public what he’s doing to try to fix the NHS. Opinion polls repeatedly show it is voters’ number one priority too.
Today’s speech is about trying to reduce the waiting lists – setting out more detail on his manifesto commitment to deliver two million more appointments a year, via a greater focus on community diagnostic centres open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
It’s an important moment and if the measures are successful will make a huge difference to the lives of millions of people waiting for routine treatment, although as a new year reset for a government with plummeting approval ratings, it’s perhaps not the flashiest.
The Musk factor
The risk is whatever Starmer’s message today it would be overshadowed by the unrelenting volley of online attacks against him and his government by Elon Musk, who has succeeded in putting the focus on the PM’s record as director of public prosecutions during the grooming gang scandal.
We’re expecting him to want to try to set the record straight on his work reforming the CPS in this area, and surely he will want to defend his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips from the appalling vitriol she’s suffered over the past few days.
The PM’s strategy so far has been trying to avoid fanning the flames by responding to Musk directly – but with the inflammatory posts of the world’s richest man only escalating, the lack of a firm riposte looks weak.
Once again it seems Starmer and his team have lost control of the headlines before the year has even properly begun.
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