UK Launches Grooming Gang Inquiries Amid Elon Musk Criticism

LONDON (AP) — The British government announced Thursday it will support a series of local inquiries into organized child sexual abuse cases, following a controversy fueled by billionaire Elon Musk. The decision comes after Musk criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer and called for a national inquiry into the issue.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told lawmakers the government has authorized a “rapid audit” to assess the scale of gang-based exploitation across the country. The move follows Musk’s repeated attacks on Starmer and his government, accusing them of failing to address the problem of “grooming gangs”—groups of men, often of Pakistani descent, who sexually exploited young girls in towns like Oldham during the 2000s and 2010s.

Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of social media platform X, has used his platform to back far-right political parties and criticize left-wing politicians in Europe. His posts have reignited debates about immigration and child sexual abuse in the UK, with far-right activists linking the crimes to immigration policies.

“I hope this is a proper investigation,” Musk said on X in response to the government’s announcement. The government’s plan includes 10 million pounds ($12.5 million) in funding, half of which will support the local inquiries. Cooper emphasized that local inquiries can provide more detailed and relevant answers than a nationwide investigation.

However, the opposition Conservative Party criticized the plan as insufficient, arguing that around 50 areas have been affected by grooming gangs. They also raised concerns that local inquiries lack the power to summon witnesses, a capability a national inquiry would have.

Prime Minister Starmer denied that Musk’s criticism influenced the decision, stating that he has been involved in working with victims for “well over a decade.” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also rejected the notion that the government was pressured by Musk, saying, “We are not a government that governs by social media.”

The issue has become a political headache for Labour, as Musk has also aligned himself with US President-elect Donald Trump and supported campaigns against Labour in the UK. Musk’s comments have drawn sharp rebukes from Labour officials, including safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, who accused him of spreading “disinformation” that endangered her life.

The government’s announcement marks a shift from its previous stance, which had resisted calls for further investigations following a seven-year inquiry under the previous Conservative government. Many of the 20 recommendations from that inquiry, including compensation for victims, remain unimplemented.

Cooper acknowledged that “much valuable time has already been lost,” causing additional trauma to victims and survivors. The new inquiries aim to address these gaps and deliver actionable change at the local level.