A social media debate between prominent political figures has ignited fresh controversy over the UK's handling of historical rape gang investigations.
According to Daily Mail, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has aligned with Elon Musk's demands for a new investigation into the UK's rape gang scandal, following the X owner's criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's role as former director of public prosecutions.
The controversy emerged after Labour's decision not to support a new probe into abuse allegations in Oldham. Musk used his social media platform to directly challenge Starmer's record during his tenure as England and Wales' top prosecutor from 2008 to 2013, suggesting that rape gangs were allowed to operate without facing justice during this period.
The debate has drawn in multiple high-profile figures, including Reform UK's Nigel Farage, who responded critically to Badenoch's stance. Badenoch expressed her support for a comprehensive inquiry through social media. Farage, whose party has been linked to a reported $100 million donation from Musk, dismissed the Conservative party's position as mere rhetoric, pointing to their 14-year tenure in government without launching such an inquiry.
Musk's intervention extended beyond criticism of Starmer to include allegations against Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips. The tech billionaire claimed Phillips was refusing to investigate the gangs because it would implicate the current Prime Minister's past role as director of public prosecutions.
In response to council requests for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation, Phillips maintained that such decisions should remain under local authority jurisdiction. The controversy has highlighted ongoing tensions over the handling of historical abuse cases across multiple UK jurisdictions.
A damning report from January revealed significant failures in protecting young girls from grooming gangs in Rochdale between 2004 and 2013. The 173-page review detailed how police and council leadership inadequately handled hundreds of cases involving vulnerable youngsters, primarily white girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Badenoch stated on social media:
The time is long overdue for a full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal. Trials have taken place all over the country in recent years but no one in authority has joined the dots. 2025 must be the year that the victims start to get justice.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse's final report in 2022 characterized child sexual abuse as an epidemic affecting tens of thousands of victims. Professor Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry, recently expressed frustration that none of the probe's 20 recommendations had been implemented more than two years after its conclusion.
The controversy coincides with Musk's public support for Tommy Robinson, the former English Defence League co-founder recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for breaching a High Court injunction. This association has potentially complicated relationships within Reform UK, particularly given Nigel Farage's previous efforts to distance himself from Robinson.
A Home Office study published in 2020 found that child sexual abuse gangs are predominantly composed of white men, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate. The study's findings contrast with some of the narratives surrounding historical cases.
The controversy has also affected broader UK-US relations, with Musk recently criticizing Labour's economic plans and questioning business investment potential under the current administration.
The dispute over historical rape gang investigations has evolved into a complex political battle involving multiple stakeholders. Kemi Badenoch's support for Elon Musk's demand for a new investigation has intensified the debate over how the UK should address these historical cases of abuse. The controversy continues to highlight tensions between local and national authorities over abuse investigations while also raising questions about political accountability and the effectiveness of previous inquiries.
