Sir Keir Starmer accused Elon Musk of “spreading lies” and being “desperate for attention” as a war of words over the grooming gangs scandal escalated.
The Prime Minister told a press conference this morning: “Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they are not interested in victims, they are interested in themselves.”
He added: “I enjoy the cut and thrust of politics, the robust debate that we must have but that has got to be based on facts and truth, not on lies, not on those who are so desperate for attention that they are prepared to debase themselves and their country.”
Mr Musk criticised the Government for refusing to hold a public inquiry into historic sexual abuse by grooming gangs in Oldham.
He attacked the decision, taken by safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, as “disgraceful” and claimed that she “deserves to be in prison”.
The tech billionaire has repeatedly attacked the Government on the issue and this morning suggested “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government”.
Ms Phillips has insisted it was “for Oldham council alone” to decide whether to launch an investigation into alleged exploitation between 2011 and 2014.
Sir Keir defended Ms Phillips. He said: “Jess Phillips does not need me or anybody else to speak on her behalf, but when the poison of the far Right leads to serious threats to Jess Phillips and others, then in my book, a line has been crossed.”
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