Welsh Minister Jane Hutt has condemned Elon Musk for attacking Jess Phillips, the UK's safeguarding minister.
Vale of Glamorgan MS and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt has accused Elon Musk of spreading "utterly unacceptable misinformation far and wide, fuelling an “appalling” torrent of abuse against a Labour colleague.
Hutt condemned the world's richest man for attacking Jess Phillips, the UK’s safeguarding minister, over her response to child grooming gangs in the UK.
The tech multi-billionaire called for Ms Phillips, who he called a “rape genocide apologist”, to be jailed after she rejected calls for a public inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham.
Responding to a question from Joyce Watson, another Labour colleague, Ms Hutt told the Senedd that Ms Phillips has faced appalling abuse in the aftermath.
She said: “I'm sure across the chamber we would respect and understand that it is utterly unacceptable and we must roundly condemn the ways in which there are some people in a position of influence … who do appear to be more interested in spreading misinformation.”
Wales’ social justice secretary described Ms Phillips as a remarkable politician who has spent her life standing up for the rights of women and tackling domestic abuse.
‘Wild interventions’
Ms Hutt warned that the “outrageous misinformation, lies and smears” so often target women in politics, not only in recent days.
During the business statement in the Senedd on January 7, Ms Watson called for a response from the Welsh Government to Musk’s “wild interventions” in UK politics.
She said: “As a consequence of that, another man has been charged with sending malicious communications to Jess Phillips MP and there have been serious threats to her wellbeing.
“As chair of this Senedd's women's caucus … I am deeply concerned that this poison may deter good women – all women – from entering public life.
“There is plenty of evidence that it's already causing women to leave public life.
“At a time when we are looking to expand and enrich our institution here at the next election, to encourage diversity within this debating chamber, we have to raise concerns about interventions that are coming here to the UK. And we are the next in line for elections."
New car park approved for Cardiff Bay
Council housing rent goes up by 2.7%
Jail for Barry drug dealer
Bathing water at Ogmore-by-Sea "still poor"
Council tax premiums to continue
New wildlife garden for Sully school
Llantwit Major: appeal for missing teenager
Wenvoe pilot for eco-friendly road repairs
Barry angry over Top Six replay
Council chiefs call for funding floor
New rainbow bench in Central Park
Rhoose chippy makes top takeaways list
Hutt urges public to 'claim what's yours'
League Cup revamp moves closer
Van driver arrested after Barry collision
Mayor to host community events
Eastbrook: calls to make station more accessible
