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The "grooming gangs" scandal, British politics and what Elon Musk has to do with it

The UK is once again discussing the scandal of ‘grooming bands’ — groups that sexually exploited minors in the 2000s and 2010s. The topic gained relevance after Elon Musk's statements accusing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of inaction when he was Director of Public Prosecutions. We talk about how Musk is actively spreading disinformation through his X platform, and his interference in the UK political process only exacerbates the interparty confrontation.
TRUTH
TRUTH

The United Kingdom has recently been gripped by renewed debate over a twenty-year-old scandal involving criminal grooming networks. These adult groups were implicated in crimes involving the exploitation of minors, where perpetrators established trust through online interactions, leading to abuse, blackmail, and intimidation.

These “grooming gangs,” consisting primarily of individuals of Pakistani origin, were active during the 2000s and 2010s in several British cities.  The scandal resurfaced following remarks by American billionaire Elon Musk, who is closely aligned with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Musk accused British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer of allegedly failing to prosecute the individuals involved during Starmer’s tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions.

Echoes of this case have even reached Ukraine. Our readers have shared for fact-checking an article from a questionable online portal featuring a clickbait headline: “In Britain, Pakistani migrants set up ‘harems’ with teenage girls who were intoxicated with alcohol and violently abused”. 

This manipulative piece is rooted in past events. However, the portal publishing it has a dubious reputation. A 2018 analysis by the media monitoring organization Texty revealed that such outlets often manipulate information: they reprint content from reputable sources but add sensational headlines, distort emphasis, and manipulate narratives in order to maximize clicks.

Amid the gravity of the underlying issues, Musk’s sudden focus on a decades-old controversy raises questions. His recent posts suggest an active engagement in European political discourse, including expressions of support for far-right movements and commentary on electoral matters. But, first things first.

What is the scandal about?

The “grooming gangs” scandal first came to public attention in 2012 through an investigative report by The Times, which uncovered years of unchecked crimes in the city of Rotherham. In 2014, a comprehensive report revealed that at least 1,400 underage girls were sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. 

The findings shocked British society, dominated media headlines, and sparked intense debates in Parliament. Subsequent investigations uncovered similar cases of “grooming gangs”in other cities, including Oldham, Oxford, Rochdale, and Telford. These crimes exposed significant failures within law enforcement and social services. Authorities had often ignored or dismissed testimonies from the underage victims, and in some cases, even blamed the victims themselves for the abuse they endured. The revelations led to widespread public and political discourse on the urgent need for reforms, particularly in child protection systems.

Was there a cover-up?

Elon Musk’s recent posts about the sex scandal in Britain frame the issue as though he were the first to bring attention to it. In reality, the sexual exploitation of minors in Britain has been extensively discussed for years and has prompted debates on immigration and violence.

A series of Musk’s posts draws on questionable sources, amplified by the algorithms of his social media platform, “X.” Musk places significant emphasis on the ethnicity of both the perpetrators and victims, which risks inflaming anti-immigration sentiment. This framing has further fueled the spread of racist and conspiratorial narratives, particularly as Musk actively shares posts from users on “X” who promote such views. 

How do Elon Musk's statements affect the political situation in Britain?

In the summer, street protests in the UK, triggered by the murder of three children at a Southport dance club, escalated into widespread anti-immigrant riots and acts of vandalism. These events brought two significant issues in British society to the forefront: illegal migration and the spread of disinformation. The growing influx of migrants has fueled public discontent and bolstered the popularity of far-right groups advocating for stricter and more decisive measures against immigration.

A central focus of this controversy has been the social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter). Since its acquisition by Elon Musk, the platform has increasingly been used as a vehicle for spreading disinformation. Musk himself has intervened in these events with provocative statements. 

During the summer riots, Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a warning to major social media platforms, stating that incitement to violent unrest constitutes a criminal offense. In response, Musk accused the British government of suppressing freedom of speech and even suggested that Britain was on the brink of an “inevitable civil war.” 

Musk’s more recent attacks have targeted Starmer and the Labour Party directly, with Health Minister Jess Phillips becoming a focal point. In October, Phillips declined to allow Oldham City Council to launch a new national investigation into child exploitation, explaining that multiple previous investigations had already been conducted. She recommended that further inquiries be pursued locally. This decision sparked backlash from right-wing media, which accused Phillips of “hiding the truth”. 

Musk intensified the controversy by labeling Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” and a “witch.” He further accused Starmer of being “involved in mass rape in exchange for votes” during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013. Starmer categorically denied these allegations, describing them as “lies,” while Phillips condemned Musk’s comments, accusing him of endangering her life.

Musk’s provocations did not end there. On “X,” he conducted a poll about “liberating Britain” and called for immediate elections, urging support for the Reform UK party, which he claimed was the only party that could “save the country.” His provocative rhetoric escalated to the point that senior politicians from the UK’s three largest parties urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his association with Musk. 

Who is Musk promoting? 

The Reform UK party, supported by Elon Musk, is a right-wing populist group positioned as an alternative to Britain’s Conservative and Labour parties. Its political platform emphasizes reducing government budget spending, curbing immigration, and limiting state powers, etc. Although Musk has criticized the Reform UK party’s leader, Nigel Farage, stating that it “needs a new leader,” he continues to endorse its policies while signaling interest in potential new leadership candidates.

Reform UK’s stance on Ukraine is not explicitly pro-russian, but its honorary president, Nigel Farage, has made very controversial statements on the subject. In an interview, Farage claimed that NATO expansion “forced” russian President Vladimir Putin to attack Ukraine. He argued that Kyiv should initiate “peace talks” with russia, suggesting that supplying arms to the Ukrainian military only prolongs the “deadlock.” Farage described the notion of a Ukrainian victory as “a huge joke”. Musk has expressed agreement with such ideas.

When Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, donated pickup trucks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, his actions drew criticism from party supporters. Many accused him of prioritizing Ukraine’s interests over Britain’s and of aligning with the policies of the current government, which has already allocated billions in aid to Ukraine.

And what about other countries? 

The UK is not the only country where Elon Musk has stirred political controversy through his social media platform, “X”. Recently, Musk has used the platform to make provocative statements about various nations. He has openly expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party while harshly criticizing German leaders, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Musk even published an op-ed in a German newspaper, declaring the AfD as the only party capable of addressing Germany’s challenges. This statement has drawn significant criticism, particularly as Germany prepares for early elections scheduled for February 23, 2025, with concerns that Musk’s media influence could sway the outcome. 

The AfD has long faced accusations of fostering close ties with russia and disseminating Kremlin propaganda. A comprehensive study by the German investigative outlet Correctiv detailed the ideological alignment between the AfD and the Kremlin.

The suggestion that Musk may be interfering in Germany’s upcoming elections has been echoed by international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Macron remarked, “Ten years ago, who could have imagined being told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and directly intervene in elections, including in Germany”. 

Instead of directly addressing the criticism, Musk announced a live interview on “X” with Alice Weidel, the chancellor candidate of the right-wing AfD. The European Commission has stated it will closely monitor the event with a team of 150 experts. Their focus will not be on the interview’s content but on “X’s” algorithms, analyzing whether they amplify coverage favoring the AfD. The findings may bolster the EU’s ongoing case against “X” for alleged violations of the Digital Services Act.

Musk’s provocative rhetoric has also extended to Canada. On January 6, amid a political crisis, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and his intention to step down as prime minister after a successor is chosen. During this period, Musk amplified remarks by Donald Trump hinting at “Canada joining the United States.” Trudeau dismissed the notion as impossible. In response, Musk insulted Trudeau, calling him a “girl” and claiming his opinions no longer mattered because he would soon be out of office.

Why does Musk care about all this? 

There are likely several reasons behind Elon Musk’s active involvement in political discussions. First, his actions may be aimed at supporting political parties whose agendas align with his own business interests. Second, Musk may be positioning himself for anticipated changes in global politics, particularly the potential return of Donald Trump’s administration. By seeking new allies and attacking opponents, Musk is employing a communication style that mirrors Trump’s, marked by provocative statements and a disregard for traditional diplomacy. However, it remains unclear whether Musk is acting independently or coordinating with Trump. 

Notably, it’s interesting that much of Musk’s recent rhetoric aligns with the narratives of russian propagandists, including Kremlin ideologue Alexander Dugin, a vocal promoter of anti-Western ideas. Over the past week, Dugin has posted a series of messages on “X” advocating for the collapse of the European Union, a shift in Europe’s political landscape, the rise of far-right parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and the replacement of liberal leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau.

Among other things, Dugin outlined his vision in a detailed plan: “First steps: Germany - AfD - urgently to power. UK - Starmer out, Farage in. Meloni - let her stay (her ideological sources are compatible with the Woke Right). Macron out, Le Pen in. Everything else is irrelevant. It’s easy to do. Just give them a hint - it’s time to leave.”

What about Ukraine? 

These developments have direct implications for Ukraine, as Musk’s actions through “X” have global consequences. By supporting far-right populist parties, many of which oppose aid to Ukraine, Musk risks undermining the international coalition backing the country. If these parties gain power in key nations allied with Ukraine, it could significantly weaken both military and humanitarian support. Such a scenario aligns with russia’s strategic objectives, which include isolating Ukraine on the global stage small logo

Prepared by Aliona Malichenko.

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Альона Маліченко
Альона Маліченко
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