Reform UK MP Richard Tice has accused Labour of “running scared” of a national grooming gangs inquiry.
He told GB News senior figures in the party are fearful that an inquiry could be detrimental for their Muslim voter base.
Asked by Camilla Tominey if tech billionaire and Reform UK supporter Elon Musk is right in his claims that Starmer is “complicit in the rape of children” and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips “should be in prison”, Tice said he is entitled to say what he wants.
“Quite rightly in the world of free speech, and Mr Musk is promoting free speech, he and we are raising serious questions that require answers”, he said.
Richard Tice says Labour is ‘running scared’
GB NEWS
“It seems to me that Labour is running scared. They won’t have a national inquiry and the prime minister won’t answer serious questions about what he knew and when.
“You have to ask, why? I think the answer is the Labour Party is running scared of the Muslim vote in certain Northern towns. There has been clearly a massive cover-up over decades in dozens of towns in Northern England.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Richard Tice joined Camilla Tominey on GB News
GB NEWS
“People have been running scared of those involved in these grooming gangs because they are ethnic minorities or of Pakistani heritage.”
Tice pointed out Jess Phillips’s constituency of Birmingham Yardley, where she almost lost her seat at the last general election to a candidate running on a pro-Gaza ticket.
“There are many others on the Labour frontbencher who are also very concerned about that vote”, he said.
“I am very happy to make that accusation and ask the question of people like Jess Phillips.
“Why does she not want to have a national inquiry? It almost infers they are continuing the cover-up we all know has gone on.
“Tens of millions of British citizens are absolutely furious and the refusal, firstly by the Tory Party no less, to have a transparent, national inquiry stinks. It smells.”
Camilla then probed Tice about controversial activist Tommy Robinson, who Musk has associated himself with in recent days.
The SpaceX owner has called for Robinson’s release from jail, but Reform figures like Nigel Farage have distanced themselves from the remarks.
“That’s the whole point of free speech”, Tice said.
“Someone like Elon Musk, who is promoting free speech around the world. He is very involved in UK business and that’s why he wants to get involved in UK politics.
“Quite understandably, he is saying lots of questions need to be asked.”
Despite Tice being steadfast in his belief Elon Musk has a right to defend the English Defence League (EDL) founder, he insisted Reform wants “nothing to do” with him.
“On your show previously, I have made it clear we have nothing to do with Mr Robinson”, he said.
“He is a convicted criminal in jail. We are a serious political party trying to reform the way this country is run, to have it managed properly and governed properly.
“That is why we will hopefully win the next election.”
