Starmer hits out at 'those spreading lies' after Musk's crime rate attacks

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday defended his record and slammed those "spreading lies" following days of hostile attacks from Elon Musk over historical child rape crimes in northern England.

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Starmer launched a full-throated defence of his time more than a decade ago as the UK's top prosecutor, after the US tech billionaire launched a tirade of critical posts on his X platform.

Focusing on historical scandals involving paedophile grooming gangs that first emerged during Starmer's tenure as director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013, Musk has in recent days assailed him and other Labour figures over the issue.

Musk's tirade, which included demands for a new public inquiry into the scandal, has prompted some UK opposition politicians to join in the criticism and calls for a fresh national probe.

The issue has long been seized upon by far-right figures, in particular the imprisoned Tommy Robinson, one of Britain's best known far-right agitators, whom Musk has praised.

Responding to numerous media questions on the topic, Starmer insisted he was "not going to individualise this to Elon Musk" but said "a line has been crossed" with some of the criticism.