UK Counter-Extremism Unit Investigate Musk Tweets As Alarm Raised Over ‘Risk to Britain’

The British Government’s counter-extremism unit has been investigating tweets posted and shared by Elon Musk over the past few weeks.

The home office unit has ramped up the monitoring of the world richest man’s posts in order to assess the risk they pose to Britain, the Mirror reported.

The tech billionaire has been using his platform X to target Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer and other senior ministers over the grooming gangs scandal. In one post he also called for America to “liberate Britain” from their “tyrannical government”

According to the government’s latest definition, extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others or to undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights

The Mirror reported: the Home Office has stepped up extra monitoring to assess content and the reach of what is being shared on social media site X, especially in relation to accounts with large followings – including Mr Musk’s. The counterterrorism unit has been involved in content analysis and wider risk assessment.

The unit sits within the Homeland Security Group, whose “mission is to reduce national security risks to the UK’s people, prosperity and freedoms”. “It focuses on the highest harm risks to the homeland, whether from terrorists, state actors, or cyber and economic criminals,” according to the official government website.

A government source told the Mirror: “We keep a close eye on how disinformation and hate can proliferate, including online.”

It is understood monitoring has been ramped up following Mr Musk’s vile attacks on safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Ms Phillips has admitted Mr Musk – a key aide to Donald Trump – was “endangering” her after labelling her a “rape genocide apologist” and calling for her to be jailed. She has reportedly had close protection officers assigned to her and has been advised not to go out in public alone following the increased threats to her safety.

Mr Musk’s criticism erupted after the Labour government rejected a call for a new national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. The PM, who has said victims need “action” not more inquiries, hit out at “those who are spreading lies and misinformation” on Monday and said the billionaire had “crossed a line” after his abuse led to Ms Phillips receiving serious threats.

Fears over Mr Musk’s interference in UK politics increased on Thursday after reports emerged that he was looking at ways to replace Kier Starmer as Prime Minister. Sources told the Financial Times Mr Musk believes that “western civilisation itself is threatened” and is examining how he can destabilise the Labour government beyond his aggressive X posts.