Farage distances himself from Tommy Robinson after Elon Musk backs far-right activist

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Musk wrote on his social media website X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “Free Tommy Robinson.” open image in gallery Nigel Farage heaped praise on Elon Musk but distanced himself from the Tesla tycoon over his support for Tommy Robinson Asked about the tech billionaire’s post, Mr Farage told GB News: “He’s attacking the leadership of Britain.” Turning to the UK government’s handling of child grooming gangs, amid calls for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, the party leader continued: “I mean, saying Britain has been terribly badly led and that the grooming scandal, the mass rape scandal which has resurfaced and transcripts of what was said in court have been online – and I recommend you at home don’t read them, you won’t sleep at night. But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court.” open image in gallery Tommy Robinson is in jail for contempt of court On whether Reform UK would accept support from Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – in the future, Mr Farage replied: “We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need.” Pollster Luke Tryl, UK director of the More in Common think tank, said embracing Mr Robinson would be “anathema to electoral success” because of his divisiveness. “He will help us enormously because he’s a hero figure, especially for the youth who really do admire this man and if it comes to him helping us financially, that’s fantastic.” He will help us enormously because he’s a hero figure, especially for the youth who really do admire this man and if it comes to him helping us financially, that’s fantastic Nigel Farage on Elon Musk On calls for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, Mr Farage said he wanted a “full public inquiry with the glare of publicity”.