A man has been charged with sending malicious communications to Phillips shortly after Musk's criticisms, highlighting the rising tensions surrounding the topic.

Jess Phillips, the UK safeguarding minister, has faced significant online abuse following Elon Musk's accusations regarding her stance on child grooming inquiries.

Musk's tweets labeled Phillips a 'rape genocide apologist' and an 'evil witch,' reaching his vast audience of 210 million followers on X.

In response to Musk's comments, Phillips expressed frustration, emphasizing that her focus should remain on supporting victims of grooming gangs rather than engaging with his remarks.

As part of her efforts in addressing the grooming gangs scandal, Phillips has been involved in various investigations and inquiries that have spanned decades.

Musk's comments have reignited public debate over the necessity of a national inquiry into grooming gangs, which Phillips argues against, favoring local inquiries that encourage victim participation.

In defense of Phillips, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the social media threats and misinformation campaigns that jeopardize the safety of those advocating for victims of abuse.

Phillips acknowledged the dynamic risks associated with her role, particularly concerning violence against women and girls, and expressed heightened concerns for her safety following Musk's statements.

Despite her own distress from the situation, Phillips maintains that the suffering of grooming gang victims is far greater than her own ordeal.

Overall, the ongoing controversy underscores the challenges faced in addressing deeply rooted societal issues related to grooming gangs and the political responses to them.

Labour has committed to implementing recommendations from the 2022 Jay Review into child sexual exploitation, which had previously been overlooked by the Conservative government.

The political discourse surrounding grooming gangs has become contentious, with Phillips facing accusations from both the Conservative and Labour parties regarding their handling of the issue.