Jess Phillips: “Elon Musk’s Misinformation Threatens My Safety”

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips informed BBC’s Newsnight that “misinformation” propagated by Elon Musk was “threatening” her, yet it was “insignificant” when compared to the experiences of abuse victims.

The tech mogul and adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump branded Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” and stated she should be imprisoned.

When asked if the peril to her own safety had increased since his online posts and whether safeguards were in place, Phillips affirmed “yes”.

She described the ordeal as “incredibly exhausting” but expressed that she was “accepting of the circumstances that come with being a woman who combats violence against women and girls”.

She further stated: “I am accustomed to encountering individuals who misinterpret circumstances attempting to silence women like myself.”

The dispute between Mr Musk and the UK government relates to the cases of groups of men – predominantly of Pakistani origin – being convicted for sexually exploiting and assaulting mainly white girls across the UK.

Mr Musk’s involvement arose after Phillips declined a proposal for the government to spearhead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham – which incited demands from the Conservatives and Reform UK for a nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs.

Phillips’ decision was reached in October but initially reported by GB News at the beginning of the year, eventually addressed by Mr Musk on his social media platform X.

Phillips defended the government’s choice not to undertake a national inquiry, contending that local investigations, like one conducted in Telford, were more efficient in facilitating change.

“What transpired in Telford is the polar opposite of what I have witnessed as a result of the national expert inquiry over the past two years since its release – I observed change occurring,” she asserted.

She mentioned her intention to convene council leaders to discuss insights gained from Telford.

“When individuals claim it’s the council assessing their own performance, it is not.

“It is an independent inquiry directed locally and it is the sole model I have witnessed succeed, and I have been engaged in this sector for 15 years.”

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which lasted seven years and concluded in 2022, issued 20 recommendations – however, none have been enacted yet.

In a prior conversation with the Today programme, Prof Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry, asserted: “We have had our fill of inquiries, consultations, and dialogues… we have delineated the necessary actions and people should merely proceed with it both locally and nationally.”

Nevertheless, Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick contended that a fresh national inquiry was necessary, stating: “We now possess significantly more information.”

He continued: “The Jay review examined six towns. We now suspect that at the very least 50 towns have experienced grooming gangs of this nature.

“We can strive to avert other susceptible young girls from encountering this predicament again, and the blatantly cowardly officials and councillors who have concealed this can also be brought to justice.”

The Conservatives have declared their intention to propose an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill urging ministers to create a “national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, concentrated on grooming gangs”.

The Labour government maintains a strong majority in the House of Commons and thus the amendment, if accepted would terminate the bill, is unlikely to be passed.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked that MPs should not reject a bill which encompasses provisions for the protection of children.

In a statement to The Mirror, Sir Keir commented: “It’s astonishing they are even contemplating this as a strategy. It signifies prioritizing the pursuit of retweets over any genuine commitment to the protection of children.”

However, shadow education minister Neil O’Brien asserted that the government was “hindering a comprehensive national inquiry”, adding: “Labour MPs now possess a critical opportunity to vote for providing victims with answers and justice, and to endorse an amendment that will clarify that Parliament’s will is for a national inquiry.”

When inquiring about her response to Mr Musk’s comments directed at her, Phillips characterized his statements as “absurd”.

She remarked that the backlash she was currently enduring would be “worthwhile… solely if we enact a tangible change”.

“And if I must endure all of this and fail to transform the manner in which local areas…deal with grooming gangs in two years’ time, it wouldn’t have been worthwhile,” she remarked.

She claimed that the notion Labour politicians feared inquiries would be unpopular with their electorate was “an utter load of nonsense”.

Phillips, who operated a domestic abuse refuge prior to her election as a Labour MP, also vigorously defended her own history in combating violence against women.

“I have been active in this sector for many years. I have met with and supported for several years, young women who continue to be groomed.

“I’ve traveled nationwide in the middle of the night, which I seriously doubt that [Conservative leader] Kemi Badenoch or [shadow home secretary] Chris Philp have done, to rescue a young woman, literally while she was bleeding from an assault… to bring her to safety.”

While speaking at an event in Las Vegas on Tuesday, X CEO Linda Yaccarino defended Mr. Musk’s remarks, stating: “If not for X, where would the dialogue be to protect thousands of girls, to bring offenders to justice?”

“Those grooming trials would have remained hushed, and now we are anticipating an inquiry. So I commend the bravery and visionary courage to pursue that.”

On Monday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper outlined steps she was undertaking to execute the recommendations of the Jay review, which include criminal consequences for individuals who neglect to report child sexual abuse.

Phillips rejected claims that the government was compelled to act due to Mr. Musk’s remarks.

“Frankly, the initiatives that Yvette Cooper announced yesterday are all aspects we have been diligently working to ensure,” she stated.

“Hence, all these measures are things that would occur – all that this current uproar has achieved is to get everyone discussing it.”

In a distinct interview with Sky News, Phillips suggested Mr. Musk ought to “get on with ‘getting to Mars’.”

“Elon Musk will continue to be Elon Musk. I have more significant and pressing matters to contemplate,” she stated.