Elon Musk should focus on US politics, a Labour minister has said in the wake of the tech billionaire’s attacks on Sir Keir Starmer and his government over the grooming scandal.

Andrew Gwynne, a health minister, argued Mr Musk should “focus on issues on the other side of the Atlantic” after he made fresh criticisms of the Labour Government.

The Tesla owner, who will have a major role in Donald Trump’s incoming administration, led criticism of Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, refusing to launch a public inquiry into historic sexual abuse by gangs in Oldham.

Writing on his social media platform X, Mr Musk claimed Ms Phillips “deserves to be in prison” over the “disgraceful” decision before also personally criticising the British Prime Minister.

Asked about the Tesla owner’s comments, Mr Gwynne told LBC: “Elon Musk is an American citizen and perhaps ought to focus on issues on the other side of the Atlantic. But, look, the grooming issue is a very serious issue.

“We’ve already had inquiries into Telford, into Rotherham. We’ve had a local inquiry commissioned by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, into the situation here in Greater Manchester, which includes Oldham.”