You know nothing about Britain, Elon Musk told
Elon Musk’s comments on the riots have continued to be rebuked by ministers – but they’re not alone.
The billionaire wrote “civil war is inevitable” in the UK underneath a video reposted by a right-wing US commentator alongside the words: “The effects of mass migration and open borders is what’s going on.”
Justice minister Heidi Alexander told Times Radio his comment was “unjustifiable”.
“I think it is deeply irresponsible, I think everyone should be appealing for calm.
“Use of language such as a ‘civil war’ is in no way acceptable. We are seeing police officers being seriously injured, buildings set alight, and so I really do think that everyone who has a platform should be exercising their power responsibly.”
Satirist Armando Iannucci, best known for the Thick of It, said Mr Musk had been “taken in” by his own platform, “which amplifies noise at the expense of facts”.
“Tomorrow morning you’ll see the people who live here tidy these streets up. Small gangs of thugs do not a mass movement make.”
Yesterday, the prime minister’s spokesperson said there was “no justification for comments like that” from Mr Musk.
But Mr Musk appeared to double down. Multiple riots in recent days have targeted Muslim communities, but when Sir Keir Starmer posted his commitment to “not tolerate attacks” against them, Mr Musk replied: “Shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on *all* communities?”
“Seriously? Since when have you claimed to understand British communities or British politics?” said former Conservative minister Rory Stewart.
“Exactly how many days have you spent with these communities? Does it ever occur to you that this might perhaps be the wrong time to sound off about a subject you know nothing about?”
Journalist and former Labour strategist Alistair Campbell told Mr Musk: “He [Starmer] is, numpty. But right now there is specific issue which you seem to want to fuel. Weird, as the word goes for you Trump cult followers.”
