Elon Musk has asked Nigel Farage to replace him as leader of the Reform Party

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Elon Musk has surprisingly asked Nigel Farage to become leader of Reform UK after the British politician refused to back some of the tech billionaire’s latest online claims.

“The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes,” Musk wrote on his social media site X on Sunday afternoon.

The Tesla boss has previously heaped praise on Farage, urging people to “vote reform” and calling the party the UK’s “only hope”.

On Friday, Musk claimed that Sir Keir Starmer was “complicit in rape in Britain”, with the current prime minister overseeing the UK’s public prosecutor’s office as evidence of gangs emerged over the past decade.

Earlier on Sunday, Farage refused to back Musk’s language. “I don’t agree with everything he stands for,” he told the BBC.

In addition, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who is jailed for contempt of court, has repeatedly called for the release of jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Earlier this week, Farage announced he would not be joining the Reform Party, saying Robinson was “not what we want”.

Musk and Farage met last month at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, where the tech billionaire said he was considering making a large donation to the party.

On Sunday, worried that Musk thought his comments about British politicians were acceptable, Farage said: “Just because Musk supports me and supports reform doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything the other says as two big men.”

“But I believe in free speech,” he added. I think he’s a hero.

After Musk’s X post, Farage responded by citing and writing: “Well, that’s a surprise! Elon is an amazing individual, but I’m afraid I disagree. My view is that Tommy Robinson is not right for the reform and I will never sell my principles.

This is a developing story.