Elon Musk has mentioned Reform UK wants a “new leader” as a result of Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes”.
The X proprietor posted the tweet on Sunday following days of headlines over his feedback concerning the historic grooming scandal that occurred throughout UK cities and cities greater than a decade in the past.
Though Mr Musk is in settlement with Mr Farage and the Conservatives that there ought to be one other nationwide inquiry, a dividing line has emerged between tech billionaire and the Reform chief over the previous’s assist for jailed activist Tommy Robinson.
Shortly after Musk’s put up, Mr Farage mentioned: “Properly, it is a shock!
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“Elon is a outstanding particular person however on this I’m afraid I disagree.
“My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”
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Mr Musk, who met Mr Farage on the finish of final 12 months and had reportedly been contemplating a donation to his celebration, has been extremely important of the federal government’s response and has argued the circumstances of kid intercourse abuse had been “covered up”.
Politics newest: Elon Musk grooming gang claims ‘ridiculous’, minister says
His feedback about Mr Farage might be embarrassing for Reform, who’ve been courting the billionaire and soon-to-be effectivity tsar of the incoming president-elect Donald Trump.
As not too long ago as this morning, deputy chief Richard Tice claimed Mr Musk was “popular” with the British public and was “one of the greatest entrepreneurs in history”, whereas Mr Farage described him as an “absolute hero figure”.
Mr Musk has more and more taken an curiosity in UK politics and extra not too long ago the grooming scandal that noticed younger women focused by has singled out Sir Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips for criticism, arguing that the prime minister didn’t deliver “rape gangs” to justice whereas he led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
And he mentioned the “real reason” why Ms Phillips had rejected requests from Oldham Council for a government-led evaluate into circumstances of kid sexual exploitation in Oldham was as a result of investigating it “would obviously lead to the blaming of Keir Stamer (head of the CPS at the time).”
Picture:
Nigel Farage and Reform UK treasurer Nick Sweet with Elon Musk. Pic: PA
Mr Musk has endorsed Robinson, who’s presently serving an 18-month jail sentence for contempt of court docket. for “telling the truth” about grooming gangs, writing on X: “Free Tommy Robinson”.
Yesterday at a Reform celebration convention, Mr Farage distanced himself from Robinson, saying the jailed activist was “not what we need”.
Robinson – whose actual title is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – admitted at Woolwich Crown Court docket in October to breaching an injunction banning him from repeating libellous allegations in opposition to a Syrian refugee schoolboy, after he was efficiently sued for libel in 2021.
In 2018 Mr Farage give up UKIP, the celebration he used to steer, over its “fixation” with Islam and the choice of Gerard Batten, then its chief, to rent Robinson as an adviser.
Mr Farage was additionally requested whether or not he had spoken to the tech billionaire in latest days, to which he replied: “I haven’t spoken to him for some time, or a few days.
“He is tweeting about every part. He is tweeting about farming. He is tweeting about Keir Starmer’s competence. He is tweeting about Tommy Robinson. He is tweeting about me. Reform UK.
“He has a whole range of opinions, some of which I agree with very strongly and others of which I’m more reticent about.”
Requested whether or not Mr Musk’s assist for Robinson was “problematic” and doubtlessly damaging for Reform, Mr Farage replied: “Having him as a supporter is very helpful to our cause.
“I imply, goodness me, I imply, he is an absolute hero determine, notably for younger folks on this nation.
“Now everyone says, ‘Well, what about his comments on Tommy Robinson? But my position is perfectly clear on that. I never wanted Tommy Robinson to join UKIP. I don’t want him to join Reform UK – and he won’t be.”
