Politics

‘Seriously?’: Elon Musk criticised over ‘totally unjustified’ remarks about UK riots

Elon Musk’s claim that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK is “totally unjustified”, a government minister has said, after the billionaire clashed with Sir Keir Starmer over the remarks.

Musk, the owner of X, has been engaged in a war of words with the prime minister over riots gripping the UK, amid concerns online disinformation is fuelling the unrest.

UK riots latest: Petrol bombs and violence in two cities

In a comment on his social media site below a video of rioters setting off fireworks at police, Musk said “civil war is inevitable”.

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

This was quickly rejected by the PM’s spokesperson, who said there is “no justification for comments like that” and “anyone who is whipping up violence online will face the full force of the law”.

Musk then replied to a social media post from Sir Keir who had criticised violence towards Muslims, with the tech entrepreneur saying: “Shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on *all* communities?”

Courts minister Heidi Alexander told Sky News that “everyone should be calling for calm in this situation”.

“So I do think the language around civil war being inevitable is totally unjustified,” she added.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘Perpetrators to be identified at first opportunity’

Rioters outside the hotel in Rotherham on Sunday. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Rioters outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham on Sunday. Pic: Reuters

Former government minister Rory Stewart criticised Musk’s comments, posting on X: “Seriously?

“Since when have you claimed to understand British communities or British politics? 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?”

Read more:
28 people charged after Middlesbrough riots
How the far right hijacked Southport protests


Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers have been among the targets of far-right rioters across the UK over the past week.

Former police chief Neil Basu has said the worst of the far-right violence should be treated as terrorism.

Articles You May Like

One Direction stars say goodbye to Liam Payne
What is methanol, how does it end up in alcoholic drinks, and how can you avoid it?
Pizza Hut UK hunts buyer amid Budget tax hike crisis
China’s premier air show wows spectators – but the West won’t have liked seeing Russia’s jets
Alphabet’s VC arm backs little-known SAP rival Odoo, boosting valuation to $5.3 billion