Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has informed BBC’s Newsnight that “disinformation” unfold by Elon Musk was “endangering” her however that it was “nothing” in comparison with the experiences of victims of abuse.
The tech billionaire and adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump labelled Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” and mentioned she ought to be jailed.
Requested if the risk to her personal security had gone up since his social media posts and whether or not protections have been in place, Phillips replied “sure”.
She mentioned the expertise had been “very, very, very tiring” however that she was “resigned to the lot in life that you simply get as a girl who fights violence towards ladies and women”.
She added: “I am no stranger to individuals who do not know what they’re speaking about making an attempt to silence ladies like me.”
Musk’s intervention got here in response to Phillips rejecting a request for the federal government to steer a public inquiry into baby sexual exploitation in Oldham – which sparked calls from the Conservatives and Reform UK for a nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs.
Phillips resolution was taken in October however first reported by GB Information at first of the 12 months, after which picked up by Musk on his social media platform X.
Conservative shadow dwelling secretary Chris Philp has argued a nationwide inquiry was wanted to “get to the reality” of how grooming gangs have been in a position to abuse kids.
Phillips defended the federal government’s resolution to not maintain a nationwide inquiry, arguing that native inquiries, such as one held in Telford, have been simpler at main to vary.
“What I noticed occur in Telford is the precise reverse of what I’ve seen occur due to the nationwide professional inquiry for the final two years because it got here out – I noticed change occur,” she mentioned.
The Impartial Inquiry into Little one Sexual Abuse, which lasted seven years and reported in 2022, made 20 suggestions, nonetheless none has but been applied.
Requested about her response to Musk’s feedback about her personally, Phillips mentioned his remarks have been “ridiculous”.
She mentioned the criticism she was at the moment dealing with can be “value it… provided that we make an precise change”.
“And if I’ve to undergo all of this and I have never modified the way in which native areas cope with grooming gangs in two years’ time, it would not have been value it,” she added.
