Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has condemned the language employed by Elon Musk during a rally address on Saturday, deeming it “abhorrent.”
Via video link, the technology entrepreneur criticised “uncontrolled migration,” further stating: “Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die.”
Musk also advocated for “a change of government in Britain” and called for “a dissolution of Parliament and a new vote held.”
In response, Mahmood asserted: “Whether you’re a hostile state or a hostile billionaire, no-one gets to mess with British democracy.”
She added that “the vast majority” of the public would dismiss Musk’s remarks with disapproval.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised Musk, telling the BBC: “He doesn’t use language sensibly, he is deeply irresponsible, deeply dangerous.”
Earlier, on X, the social media platform owned by Musk, Sir Ed stated that British democracy was “too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons,” adding: “Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.”
Musk responded by calling Sir Ed “a craven coward.”
Over 150,000 individuals participated in the “Unite The Kingdom” march in London, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Approximately 5,000 individuals joined a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
Speakers at the main protest voiced anti-immigration sentiments and expressed support for freedom of speech.
Musk’s controversial statements were made during a conversation with Robinson as part of the event.
Musk stated: “I think there’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration.”
“This is a message to the reasonable centre, the people who ordinarily wouldn’t get involved in politics, who just want to live their lives.”
“They don’t want that, they’re quiet, they just go about their business.”
“My message is to them: if this continues, that violence is going to come to you, you will have no choice.”
Asked about his comments in Parliament, Mahmood said Britain was “a tolerant country and yes, we are a diverse country”.
“You can be English with roots that stretched back a thousand years.
“But you can also be English and look like me.”
Earlier, a Downing Street spokesman echoed Mahmood’s comments saying: “The last thing the British people want is this sort of dangerous and inflammatory language which threatens violence and intimidation on our streets.”
“I don’t think the British people will have any truck with that kind of language and rightly so.”
Asked if the government would review its use of X, the spokesman said government communications were always kept under review.
The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to rule out awarding contracts to Musk’s Tesla company which produces electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels.
Speaking to Newsnight, Sir Ed said: “He [Musk] has applied to Ofgem for a licence to sell and distribute energy in this country… they are the sorts of things we should look at.”
He also said he would encourage people to leave Musk’s social media platform X but that he would be staying, saying the Liberal Democrats were “calling him out on his own platform”.
Taking questions at a press conference on Monday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was also asked about Musk’s language.
He said there was a “degree of ambiguity” in his words but added: “If the fight that Musk was talking about was about standing up for our rights and free speech, if it was about fighting in elections to overcome the established parties, then that absolutely is the fight that we’re in.”
Musk had previously expressed support for Farage and had reportedly been in talks over donating money to the party.
However, earlier this year he appeared to cool on the idea, saying Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the party.
The PM says a due diligence process was gone through before Lord Mandelson was appointed US ambassador.
The East Wiltshire MP said the Conservatives were no longer the main party of opposition.
Some Labour MPs have become more vocal in their criticism of the prime minister after the departures of Angela Rayner and Peter Mandelson.
The prime minister said the flag represents “our diverse country” and he will not allow people to feel intimidated.
The fallout is continuing after Peter Mandelson’s sacking as UK ambassador to Washington over his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.