A dividing line has opened up between the world's richest man and Reform leader Nigel Farage over the former's support for jailed activist Tommy Robinson.

Elon Musk has said Reform UK needs a “new leader” because Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes”.

The X owner posted the tweet on Sunday following days of headlines over his comments about the historical grooming scandal that took place across UK towns and cities more than a decade ago.

Although Mr Musk is in agreement with Mr Farage and the Conservatives that there should be another national inquiry, a dividing line has emerged between the tech billionaire and the Reform leader over the former’s support for jailed activist Tommy Robinson.

Shortly after Musk’s post, Mr Farage said: "Well, this is a surprise!

"Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree.

“My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”

…

His comments about Mr Farage will be embarrassing for Reform, who have been courting the billionaire and soon-to-be efficiency tsar of the incoming president-elect Donald Trump.

  • SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee
    21·
    3 days ago

    Interesting that the Cons are calling for a national enquiry now in-spite of the fact that they were in power after and during the grooming happening.

    • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      171·
      3 days ago

      And that there literally was an inquiry. The Conservatives simply didn’t implement its recommendations.

      Do people not remember Boris Johnson’s insensitive words about that very inquiry? (I.e. that investigating mass rape of young girls was “spaffing money up the wall”)

      “One comment I would make is I think an awful lot of money – and an awful lot of police time – now goes into these historic offences and all this malarkey,”

      “You know, £60million I saw was being spaffed up the wall on some investigation into historic child abuse and all this kind of thing.

      -- Boris Johnson, in an LBC interview

      What a PR win Labour could have here.

      “We implemented the recommendations of the Child Sexual Abuse report the Conservatives dismissed as being a waste of time and money. Unlike the Tories, we care about busting CSA gangs, setting right past failings, and making Britain safe!”

      Unfortunately Labour are pretty dreadful at getting a grip on the narrative.

      • SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee
        51·
        3 days ago

        Short version …we have a “grooming gang” (ie paedophile) problem in the U.K., many are Muslim, apparently there was an enquiry but the results got hidden, by the previous ruling party, the Conservatives.

        • sunzu2@thebrainbin.org
          3·
          3 days ago

          Are the gangs affiliated with rich people getting access or just peasants trafficng peasants children for other peasants to abuse?

          Or the angle here it got buried not to piss off Muslims? Why would conservatives care to “protect” the Muslims then?

          • wewbullEnglish
            4·
            3 days ago

            The latter as I remember it. The allegations were that police were turning a blind eye to crimes under UK law for fear of “targeting” certain communities.

            Tories tend to always support the police.