Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has distanced his party from controversial political activist Tommy Robinson, following support expressed for Robinson by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Speaking ahead of his party’s East Midlands Conference in Leicester on Friday evening, Mr Farage described Mr Musk as a “hero figure, especially for the youth,” but stated firmly that Robinson, currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court, does not align with the party’s direction.
Musk’s controversial post
On Thursday, Mr Musk took to his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to post, “Free Tommy Robinson.” The statement reignited debates about Robinson’s contentious activism and his imprisonment, which stems from contempt of court rather than his role in highlighting issues surrounding grooming gangs.
When asked about Mr Musk’s comment during an interview with GB News, Mr Farage noted the tech mogul’s criticism of British leadership. “He’s attacking the leadership of Britain,” Mr Farage remarked, referencing ongoing calls for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.
“The grooming scandal, the mass rape scandal, has resurfaced,” Mr Farage continued, cautioning against reading the distressing transcripts from court proceedings. “And so, yes, he [Musk] is attacking the leadership of Britain. He’s very supportive of me. He’s very supportive of the party.”
Reform UK’s position on Robinson
While acknowledging Musk’s influence and support, Mr Farage was clear in separating his party’s stance from Robinson’s controversial legacy. “He [Musk] sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs,” Farage said. “But of course, the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court.”
When asked whether Reform UK would accept Robinson’s support in the future, Mr Farage was unequivocal. “We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need,” he stated.
Musk’s support for reform UK
Mr Farage praised Musk’s support for his party, calling it an asset. Referring to Musk’s influence, particularly among younger voters, he said, “He will help us enormously because he’s a hero figure, especially for the youth who really do admire this man. If it comes to him helping us financially, that’s fantastic.”
Drawing a parallel to Musk’s role in Donald Trump’s 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, Mr Farage explained, “It’s a mixture of things as to how he fought that ground campaign for the Republicans in the key states, seven key states, and that was the task he picked up. We’ve learned a lot from that.”
Calls for an inquiry into Oldham grooming scandal
The discussion also touched on the ongoing demand for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham. Mr Farage joined voices calling for transparency, stating, “I want a full public inquiry with the glare of publicity.”
More Read
However, Home Office Minister Jess Phillips previously denied Oldham Council’s request for government-led involvement in such an inquiry. In her response to the council, Ms Phillips said, “It is for Oldham Council alone to decide to commission an inquiry into child sexual exploitation locally, rather than for the Government to intervene.”
An Oldham Council spokesperson reiterated the authority’s commitment to prioritising survivors’ wishes. “Survivors sit at the heart of our work to end child sexual exploitation. Whatever happens in terms of future inquiries, we have promised them that their wishes will be paramount, and we will not renege on that pledge.”
A party preparing for the general election
As Reform UK positions itself for the next general election, Mr Farage’s comments underline his strategy of distancing the party from divisive figures while leveraging influential allies like Elon Musk. However, the controversy surrounding Musk’s endorsement of Robinson highlights the delicate balancing act for Farage as he seeks to navigate the intersection of public perception, political alliances, and the broader national conversation on leadership and accountability.
With the East Midlands Conference set to bring Reform UK’s vision into sharper focus, Mr Farage’s comments suggest a party seeking to project credibility while addressing issues of national concern. Whether this approach resonates with voters remains to be seen as the political landscape continues to shift.
