Labour minister Jess Phillips hits back at ‘ridiculous’ Elon Musk for branding her a ‘rape genocide apologist’ in grooming gangs row – and says billionaire ‘knows absolutely nothing’ [Video]

13:42 EST 07 Jan 2025, updated 14:04 EST 07 Jan 2025

Labour minister Jess Phillips tonight hit back at Elon Musk for branding her a ‘rape genocide apologist’ amid the furious political row over grooming gangs.

The controversial billionaire has recently launched a barrage of attacks on senior Labour figures – including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – over the issue.

In posts on his X social media site, the businessman has attacked Sir Keir’s record on tackling grooming gangs from his time as the director of public prosecutions.

He also blasted Ms Phillips for rejecting a request for the Government to lead a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.

But, in a series of TV interviews this evening, the Home Office minister branded Mr Musk’s posts ‘ridiculous’ and claimed he ‘knows absolutely nothing’ about the subject.

Ms Phillips also said that ‘disinformation’ spread by the tech mogul, thought to be the world’s richest man, was ‘endangering’ her.

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