Musk Foundation funded Tommy Robinson’s Russia trip, Davey says
7 reported
The Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for stronger protections for UK democracy after it emerged that Elon Musk’s family foundation financed a trip to Russia by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was brought to Russia by the Musks, according to Elon Musk’s father, Errol Musk. Robinson appeared in Moscow last month and issued calls for supporters to take to the streets following a knife attack in Belfast. Errol Musk told the Guardian that he brought Robinson to Russia, that both men held meetings with Russian business figures, and that the trip was covered by the Musk Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal. Davey described Robinson as a “useful idiot for a hostile state” and said the UK must protect its democracy from “far-right thugs, shady tech bros and foreign interference.” The visit comes as the Kremlin and its proxies appear to be forging links with European far-right figures, and police in Britain stopped Robinson and seized his phones upon his return.
What’s reported
Elon Musk’s family foundation financed a trip to Russia by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, according to Errol Musk.
Robinson appeared in Moscow last month and called for supporters to take to the streets after a knife attack in Belfast.
Errol Musk said he brought Robinson to Russia and that both men held meetings with Russian business figures.
The trip was covered by the Musk Foundation, a private philanthropic organization founded by Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal.
Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, said the UK must protect its democracy from “far-right thugs, shady tech bros and foreign interference.”
Police in Britain stopped Robinson and seized his phones on his return to Russia.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has said it will stop using X because it “now favours abuse and misinformation over meaningful debate.”
Key figures
Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), far-right activist
Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader
Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk
Elon Musk, billionaire tech mogul
Kimbal Musk, brother of Elon Musk
Luke Taylor, Liberal Democrat MP
Matthew Ford, British security expert and associate professor at the Swedish Defence University
Sources: The Guardian
