Elon Musk is discussing with his allies how Keir Starmer could be ditched as British prime minister, according to reports.
The world’s richest man has spent the first days of the new year attacking the PM and his government for an alleged lack of action on grooming gangs.
In more than 200 posts on his social media site X, Musk has targeted UK politicians in often personal terms – including describing safeguarding minister Jess Phillips as a ‘wicked witch’ and a ‘rape genocide apologist’.
The Financial Times reports that the multibillionaire Tesla owner, one of US president-elect Donald Trump’s closest advisors, is now exploring how Sir Keir could be deposed before the next election.
A source told the newspaper: ‘His view is that western civilisation itself is threatened.’
Musk has previously voiced support for Nigel Farage’s party Reform UK, but unexpectedly declared last weekend that Farage no longer had his backing to be leader.
The right-wing party has enjoyed a surge in the polls since July’s general election, though it is unclear how the five Reform MPs could be used to force Sir Keir out before the next election.
Musk’s interventions have prompted a robust debate on the best way to tackle the scandal of grooming gangs and whether a new national inquiry is necessary.
But they have also instigated discussions about the way government ministers and other MPs are subjected to intense abuse online.
Phillips has been given close protection officers and advised not to go out in public on her own since Musk began his tirade, according to the Times.
During a Commons debate on violence against women and girls today, Labour MP Sarah Owen said the businessman was ‘digging deep into historical misogyny’ when he called Phillips a ‘witch’.
Owen, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, added: ‘How long has it been – powerful women that have stood up constantly called witch or something that rhymes with it?
‘I’m pretty sure most of us have all been called something similar for standing up to those in power.’
A spokesperson for leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch said yesterday: ‘Any abuse directed towards MPs is obviously disgraceful and should not happen, and as a black, Conservative woman, Kemi gets more than her fair share.’
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