Farage defends Elon Musk over grooming gang attacks on Starmer
The IndependentSign 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. Read our privacy policy Nigel Farage has launched a defense of Elon Musk’s incendiary social media attacks on Keir Starmer, claiming that “free speech is back” under the Tesla tycoon’s ownership of X. The Reform UK leader said that “tough things get said” in public life after Mr Musk described safeguarding minister Jess Phillips as a “rape genocide apologist” who should be in jail. He added: “I’m not interested in what has to say about this… I am interested in what we are doing as a government which is taking the record that the PM and Jess Phillips and home secretary Yvette Cooper have on this issue to deliver the real change victims deserve.” But, asked about Mr Musk’s comments about Ms Phillips, Mr Farage said “free speech is back” and claimed X now offered a space for “proper, open debate”. open image in gallery Home secretary Yvette Cooper defended Jess Phillips The Reform UK leader said Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is “not what we need”, as his party seeks to challenge Labour in upcoming elections.