The UK Government’s counter-extremism unit has launched surveillance of Elon Musk’s social media posts amid growing security concerns over their potential impact in Britain.
The monitoring has intensified following the tech billionaire’s recent attacks on the Labour Government and senior politicians, particularly his targeting of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.
The Home Office confirmed it has stepped up extra monitoring to assess content and reach of posts on social media site X, with specific focus on high-profile accounts including Musk’s.
Musk’s attacks on Labour minister Jess Phillips have been particularly severe, with the billionaire labelling her a “rape genocide apologist” and calling for her imprisonment.
The UK Government’s counter-extremism unit has launched surveillance of Elon Musk’s social media posts amid growing security concerns over their potential impact in Britain
PA
Following these attacks, Phillips has received serious threats requiring the assignment of close protection officers.
Government adviser on political violence John Woodcock issued a stark warning about foreign interference in British democracy.
“Britain’s democracy isn’t a play thing for foreign billionaires – Elon Musk needs to back off and concentrate on his rockets and his cars or whatever he wants to obsess about next,” he said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Musk’s behaviour on Monday, stating he had “crossed a line” and criticising “those who are spreading lies and misinformation.”
On Wednesday, the situation escalated after the Labour Government rejected calls for a new national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch tabled an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill earlier this week, calling for a full inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.
Labour MPs rejected the Conservative amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill by 364 votes to 111.
The amendment, which would have blocked the Bill’s progress, was supported by 101 Conservative MPs, five Reform UK MPs, and several other opposition members.
The monitoring has intensified following the tech billionaire’s recent attacks on the Labour Government and senior politicians, particularly his targeting of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips
Reuters
Sir Keir Starmer had earlier dismissed the Conservative proposal as “shortsighted and misguided” during Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Labour leader argued that victims wanted “action now, not the delay of a further inquiry.”
Badenoch countered that a new inquiry was the only way to “join the dots” and hold people to account.
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