Elon Musk is under fire from British lawmakers after calling for the release of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, intensifying tensions with the U.K.’s Labour Party.
Musk Backs Far-Right Figures in U.K. and Germany
Musk’s tweet advocating the release of Robinson, founder of the controversial English Defence League, comes just days after voicing support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Robinson is serving an 18-month prison sentence for breaching a court order related to false claims about a Syrian schoolboy.
Labour MP Stella Creasy condemned Musk’s remarks, stating:
“Musk’s support not just for Tommy Robinson but also the AfD in Germany shows how much of a threat he is to democracy.”
Musk’s influence has raised concerns about the reputations of British political figures, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, both of whom have previously aligned with Musk.
Campaign Finance Concerns
Musk’s growing political involvement has reignited debates over campaign finance laws in the U.K. As a U.S. citizen, Musk cannot donate more than £500 directly to political parties, but experts warn he could circumvent these restrictions through loopholes like setting up U.K.-based entities.
Labour MP Creasy called for stricter regulations, saying:
“The money and organization that extremists now have access to are threats that can’t be ignored.”
Divisive Influence on Political Discourse
Musk’s actions have also drawn criticism from centrist and left-wing politicians who argue his support for far-right figures could exacerbate divisions in British society. Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers expressed concern:
“Musk’s financial resources and social media platform give him significant influence to shape political narratives, which could harm public discourse.”
Starmer and Conservatives React
Prime Minister Keir Starmer avoided addressing Musk’s comments directly, while the opposition Conservatives echoed Musk’s call for more inquiries into child sexual abuse in the U.K. Musk has accused Labour of ignoring these issues, reigniting debates on ethnicity data and the handling of past abuse cases.
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