Jess Phillips Responds to Elon Musk’s Attacks on Women’s Advocacy
Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, has firmly stated that Elon Musk possesses “absolutely no knowledge” regarding the protection of women and girls. This assertion follows a series of hostile remarks from the billionaire, who labeled Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” and an “evil witch” to his 210 million followers on X.
In her first public comments addressing Musk’s barrage of insults, Phillips expressed that such remarks have heightened her concerns about her personal safety. “It’s absurd, isn’t it?” she said when discussing Musk’s targeting of her. “His statements are so outrageous that my initial reaction was disbelief.”
However, the reality set in as Phillips realized that millions had been exposed to Musk’s words, prompting her to ponder how this situation could disrupt her life. “The realization dawned on me that this could turn my world upside down, and I need to manage the implications of that,” she added.
Defending Her Decisions
In an interview with ITV News, Phillips also defended her choice to reject a council’s request for a national inquiry into grooming gangs. She emphasized that a localized approach would lead to tangible changes more swiftly. This decision inadvertently attracted Musk’s attention to the ongoing grooming scandal affecting various towns and cities across the UK.
She remarked, “The most frustrating aspect of this is that Musk consumes a significant amount of my focus, despite clearly knowing nothing about the subject. My primary goal is to be able to dedicate my mental energy to supporting the countless girls I have worked with over the years who have fallen victim to grooming gangs.”
On Prioritizing Local Inquiries
Phillips explained that, although her initial instinct was to agree to a national inquiry, she ultimately decided that the model established in Telford—where a local inquiry reported in 2022—was far more effective. She referred to the Telford report as “the only one that has ever brought about meaningful change in how local councils, police, and the Crown Prosecution Service operate.”
In response to criticisms from prominent Conservative figures regarding her decision, Phillips questioned their involvement and understanding of the Telford inquiry, suggesting they may not have adequately engaged with the findings.
Addressing Safety Concerns
When asked about her safety following Musk’s attacks, Phillips acknowledged her concerns: “Of course, I worry about my safety. Anyone working in the field of violence against women and girls must be aware of dynamic risks. This is currently one of the risks I need to consider in my life.”
In a separate interview with Sky News, Phillips was asked what message she would convey to Musk. She responded with a determined tone, stating, “Just focus on your quest to reach Mars. Elon Musk will be Elon Musk, but I have bigger, more pressing matters to attend to.”
