Nigel Farage today hit out at US politicians for supporting ‘criminal’ Tommy Robinson – as he tries to mend his relationship with Elon Musk.
The Reform UK leader criticized right-wing Americans who believe the jailed former EDL leader is a “political prisoner” and said he was trying to “educate” them.
Musk on Sunday called for Farage’s replacement as reform leader after refusing to follow the X owner and Donald Trump’s aide in calling for the release of Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
The diminutive far-right leader is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court over social media posts about a teenage migrant, which began in October.
American multi-billionaire Musk has spent the past week fixating on British politics, particularly British-Asian sex abuse gangs in northern cities.
But today Mr Farage told LBC radio that while he wanted to “mend fences” with Musk at Trump’s inauguration later this month, backing Robinson would not happen.
‘Many of my American friends have seen one side of the Robinson story. He says he’s in jail because he exposed the criminal gangs and they say, ‘Oh my God, this is terrible, he’s a political prisoner,'” he said.
‘The fact is that he has been to prison many times over the years – three times for contempt of court – and once almost aborted a trial in which gang rapists were ultimately convicted.
The Reform UK leader criticized right-wing Americans who believe the jailed former EDL leader is a “political prisoner” and said he was trying to “educate” them.
Musk on Sunday called for Farage’s replacement as reform leader after refusing to follow the X owner and Donald Trump’s aide in calling for the release of Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
The diminutive far-right leader is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court over social media posts about a teenage migrant, which began in October.
“I’m currently running a campaign in America to educate people about who Tommy Robinson really is.”
During the phone call, the reform leader said he would be in the United States “for a good four or five days” for Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.
“I have no desire to go to war with Elon Musk, and I’m not going to, and I haven’t. “I’m a great admirer of him, I think he’s a heroic figure,” Farage said.
Asked whether losing his support would weaken Reform UK, he added: ‘Not having Elon’s support would damage us from that younger generation because he makes us look a bit cool, so there I’m honest about it and I’m confident that whatever happened, said, we can fix it. I really think we can do that.’
He added: “It’s not crucial. I mean, look, if, as it seems I was urged to do, I were to embrace the kind of violent thugs like (Tommy) Robinson, it would do enormous damage to our party, and probably rightly so.
“So the fact that I have taken a principled stand, even if it is to my detriment in the short term, may actually work to our advantage in the long term.
‘Of course I want his support, of course I will speak to him in a few days in America, of course I want to repair any broken fences. I’m sure we can do it.’
Asked whether losing his support would weaken Reform UK, he added: ‘Not having Elon’s support would damage us from that younger generation because he makes us look a bit cool, so there I’m honest about it and I’m confident that whatever happened, said, we can fix it. I really think we can do that.’
The reform leader also said Musk’s description of Home Secretary Jess Phillips as a “rape genocide apologist” was not “out of line.”
The leader of Reform UK said he did not “agree” with the description.
But asked whether he would comment on Mr Musk’s comments about Ms Phillips when he met the billionaire, Mr Farage said: ‘If he is inciting violence then that would cross the line within which freedom of expression is acceptable.
“It’s very, very strong language and it offends many, but freedom of speech should also be able to offend many.”
He suggested the language was chosen because Americans are “horrified” by reports of child sexual exploitation in Britain, adding: “You may find it offensive, but I don’t think it’s out of line.”
Keir Starmer is today trying to steady the ship after brutal clashes with Musk and anger over the ‘smearing’ of those calling for a national inquiry into the ‘grooming gangs’ scandal.
The Prime Minister gathered his cabinet this morning as ministers consider how to respond to the growing commotion.
Sir Keir stoked the backlash after saying yesterday that politicians who want an overarching investigation into the rape of thousands of white girls by gangs of predominantly Pakistani men were “an amplification of what the far right is saying”.
As it tries to quell the row, the government has announced that the law will be changed to make it mandatory for social workers, teachers, police and others who work with children to report suspected sexual abuse.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is tabling a House of Commons amendment aimed at forcing a vote on an inquiry, which could come as early as tomorrow.
However, Professor Alexis Jay, chair of the previous independent inquiry into child sex abuse, said this morning that “people should just get on with” implementing the recommendations rather than making another recommendation.