In an alarming U-turn in their relationship, Elon Musk has declared that Nigel Farage should be ousted as Reform U.K. leader because he doesn’t “have what it takes”. The Mail has more.
The X owner and world‘s richest man lashed out on his social media platform at his supposed ally, after spending the past week wading into British politics over sex abuse gangs.
Mr. Farage this morning referred to Musk as his “American friend” and refused to criticise him over remarks he made about Sir Keir Starmer and senior ministers which have been branded inflammatory.
The billionaire accused the PM of being complicit in the sex attacks by British Asian men, in his former role as Director of Public Prosecutions.
Farage used a BBC interview to claim Musk’s support for Reform U.K. makes the party look “cool” and helps it attract younger supporters.
However, at a Reform rally in Leicester yesterday he distanced himself from “hero” Musk’s support last week for the jailed English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson.
This afternoon, in a stunning blow to his Reform supporters, Musk, a close ally and aide to incoming president Donald Trump, wrote: “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”
However Mr. Farage refused to back down, replying: “Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree. My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”
It comes just weeks after they met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to discuss a donation to Reform, reported to be up to $100 million.
Yesterday, at the Reform conference, Chairman Zua Yusuf asked members to “picture the day when, in just a few years’ time, Prime Minister Nigel Farage triumphantly arrives at No.10 Downing Street, puts his briefcase down on the desk and takes a seat.”
Tories were quick to jump in to compound Mr. Farage’s misery. Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty tweeted: “Will you be standing aside Nigel? I’ve heard Rupert (Lowe, the Reform MP) is ready to replace you.”
And Andrew Lewin, the Labour MP for Welwyn Hatfield, added: “Ah Nigel, you should never meet your heroes.”
The owner of Tesla and X had a meeting that also included Reform treasurer Nick Candy last month, which Mr. Farage described as “historic”.
Mr. Farage also keen to promote himself as a fixer for new U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson, after even being touted as an outside choice for the senior diplomatic role himself.
Mr. Musk wrote on his social media website X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “Free Tommy Robinson.”
But last night he distanced his party from Robinson, who is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court over social media messages about a teenage migrant, which began in October.
And the following day, Mr. Farage told GB News: “He’s very supportive of me. He’s very supportive of the party.
“He sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs. But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court.”
Mr. Farage continued: “But equally, there are people in Britain who think that Robinson is a political prisoner. That’s the narrative that he’s pushed out. That’s how he earns his living but it isn’t quite true…
“We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need.”
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