Right-wing accounts on X prompted Elon Musk to find interest in grooming gangs scandal, Sky News analysis finds
The grooming gangs scandal has been in the public eye for more than a decade, with multiple public enquiries and a string of prosecutions.
All of that went apparently unnoticed by the world’s richest man, until a few days ago.
Sky News analysis suggests just a handful of right-wing accounts on X prompted and developed Elon Musk’s interest in the topic, which has ignited debate online and offline.
This shows the volume of discussion on the subject on X before – and after – Musk’s involvement, looking at the keywords of grooming gangs and rape gangs.
“Discussion about grooming gangs is always a background drumbeat and a key rallying cry for far-right networks,” a spokesperson for the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD) told Sky News.
Musk’s involvement lit a rocket under the topic, though: there have been at least 40 million engagements since he took interest, according to Talkwalker, a social media monitoring tool.
Condemnation of rape and grooming gangs isn’t far-right in itself: the entire British public shares exactly the same position. But there’s evidence that Musk’s introduction to the topic is a result of right-wing and far-right accounts on X.
This is Musk’s first post on the subject – on New Year’s Eve. He’s replying to an account he follows – and there are less than 1,000 of those – which focuses on immigration and crime statistics.
Sky News has analysed more than 2,000 of Musk’s posts over this recent period to understand which are the most influential accounts, in terms of who he replies to and who he reposts.
Right-wing commentators and news aggregators are prominent, as is far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson.
Tommy Robinson. File Pic: PA
Peter Sweden, the account Musk has interacted with the most, has previously apologised for posts denying the holocaust. Ian Miles Cheong, a commentator based in Malaysia, and Visegrad 24, set up by South-African Polish advertiser Stefan Tompson, are influential right-wing news accounts with millions of followers between them.
“There’s a significant concern over the vast spread and normalisation of far-right talking points that until now have remained fairly fringe,” the ISD spokesperson told Sky News.
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Nigel Farage (R) and Musk. File Pic: PA
And it’s taking up a lot of Musk’s time and efforts. For a man with many interests, from space rockets to population birth rates, our research found that around a third of his recent output on X has been largely focused on grooming gangs.
That has involved interactions with specific British politicians, notably his targeting of the government’s safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.
Jess Phillips. File Pic: AP
But it even includes Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, whom Musk called a “cretin”.
Most interacted with by Musk, though, and also on that list above, is Rupert Lowe, the Reform UK MP.
Musk replied to him again today.
After saying that Reform’s leader Nigel Farage didn’t “have what it takes”, Musk seems to think Lowe does.
The UK has joined US forces in attacking a Houthi target in Yemen for the first time since Donald Trump was re-elected.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes took place on Tuesday as part of the government’s response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The ministry said careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture the sort of drones used to attack ships, located 15 miles south of the capital Sanaa.
RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on several buildings using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs.
The planes had air refuelling support from Voyager tankers.
The ministry said the strike was conducted after dark to reduce the likelihood of civilians being in the area.
All the aircraft returned safely.
John Healey. Pic: Reuters
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security.
“Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base.
“We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping.”
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Houthis a ‘persistent threat’ to ‘freedom of navigation’
Mr Healey said Houthi activities in the Red Sea are a “persistent threat” to “freedom of navigation”.
“A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,” he said.
“The government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the service men and women involved in this operation.”
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US intensifies strikes on Houthis
It was the first time UK forces have struck a target in Yemen since May last year, the ministry confirmed.
The US has intensified its strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis under Mr Trump’s presidency, after his re-election in November 2024.
The group began launching attacks on shipping routes in November 2023 saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
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Footage showing people being pulled from rubble has been released by Houthi rebels in Yemen
The strike came after a Houthi-controlled TV channel claimed a US strike killed 68 people at a detention centre for African migrants in Yemen on Monday.
UK
No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson whose neck was cut by opponent’s skate
No criminal charges will be brought over the death of an ice hockey player who died during a match in Sheffield, prosecutors have announced.
Nottingham Panthers’ Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after his neck was cut by an opposition player’s skate during a match at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
The Sheffield Steelers player, Matthew Petgrave, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later bailed – but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now said it will not bring criminal charges against the Canadian.
Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.
“Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Tributes were left outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham following the ice hockey player’s death. Pic PA
Before joining Nottingham Panthers, the Minnesota-born Johnson played in Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Sweden for the Malmo Redhawks.
He also played in California for Ontario Reign and in Germany for Augsburger Panther.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the 29-year-old died as a result of the fatal neck injury.
The crowd of 8,000 spectators watched in horror as desperate attempts were made to save his life as he lay on the ice, shielded by fellow players.
The game was abandoned and spectators were asked to leave in the aftermath.
Pic PA
Kari Johnson, Johnson’s aunt, was watching the match via a livestream with his father and grandmother when he was fatally injured.
Speaking to Sky News at the time, Ms Johnson said: “It was a mess, it was a nightmare, it was like it wasn’t real. We were in shock, we couldn’t believe this was happening.”
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Kari Johnson said her nephew was ‘a kind soul’
Ms Johnson described her nephew as a “kind soul” and a “private kid” who “never would have wanted to be in the limelight like this”.
He simply wanted to be “good at hockey and have fun”, she said, adding he was “having the time of his life in the UK” and was planning to get engaged to his girlfriend.
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In January 2024, Sheffield’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation while the police inquiry took its course.
It later emerged that Ms Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.
In the report, Ms Rawden said she was “sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn”, with the bodies given 56 days to say what action had been taken – or why action had not been taken.
Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 2024.
This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation’s decision in December to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions.
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