A person has been charged with sending malicious communications to dwelling workplace minister Jess Phillips simply days after criticism from Elon Musk.
Devon and Cornwall police confirmed {that a} man was charged following three experiences of malicious communications in a case involving three victims.
The revelation comes simply hours after Sir Keir Starmer got here out preventing on behalf of Ms Phillips, saying the “poison of the far right” had led to “serious threats” to the safeguarding minister.
His response got here after he had delivered a speech on NHS reform in Epsom when journalists pressed the prime minister on the assaults on himself and the house workplace minister over the Asian grooming gangs scandal.
The social media row, spurred on by Elon Musk, broke out after it emerged that Ms Phillips had rejected a nationwide inquiry into what occurred.
The incidents, first reported by LBC, happened between April 2024 and January 2025. The pressure confirmed that the incident involving Ms Phillips happened this month, across the time Mr Musk accused her of being a “rape genocide apologist”.
Sir Keir made an impassioned defence of his safeguarding minister who Mr Musk had described as “a witch” and supporter of “genocidal rape abusers” who “should go to prison”.
The prime minister additionally defended his private file as director of public prosecutions in bringing a file variety of instances on the Asian grooming gangs, earlier than taking goal at social media misinformation.
“Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far as wide as possible are not interested in victims, they’re interested in themselves,” he mentioned. “They are cheerleading Tommy Robinson, a man who went to prison for nearly collapsing a grooming case, a gang grooming case.
“These people are trying to get some kind of vicarious thrill from street violence, that people like Tommy Robinson promote.
“Those attacking Jess Phillips, who I’m proud to call a colleague and a friend, are not protecting victims. Jess Phillips has done a thousand times more than they’ve even dreamt about when it comes to protecting victims of sexual abuse throughout her entire career.
“We’ve seen this play out many times whipping up intimidation and threats of violence, hoping that the media will amplify it.
“When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats, to Jess Phillips and others, that in my book, means a line has been crossed. I enjoy the cut and thrust of politics. The robust debate that we must have. But that’s got to be based on facts and truth. Not on lies.”
He additionally criticised the Tories for showing to help Musk, and expressed concern on the social gathering’s failure to sentence assaults on Ms Phillips.
“Those who are so desperate for attention that they’re prepared to debase themselves and their country. So this government will get on with the job of protecting victims. Including, victims of sexual abuse.
“What I won’t tolerate is a debate based on lies and politicians jumping on the barn, one simply to get attention. When those politicians were in government for 14 long years.”
He added: “I’m very concerned about where the Tory party is going on this, in this country.
“This isn’t about America or Musk, I’m talking about our politics. The responsibility they have for condemning it.
“If you’re not prepared to stand up and defend Jess Philips, you need to ask yourself why you’re in politics in the first place.”
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson mentioned: “A Devon man has been charged following three reports of malicious communications.
“The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications being sent between April 2024 and January 2025 involving three victims.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jess-phillips-elon-musk-grooming-gangs-man-charged-b2674643.html