Elon Musk appears to back ex Southampton boss to replace...

Elon Musk has seemed to support Rupert Lowe, the former chairman of Southampton FC, to succeed Nigel Farage as Reform UK’s leader.

It seemed that a disagreement over Tommy Robinson was the reason behind the tech billionaire’s criticism of Mr. Farage.

Mr. Farage remained steadfast in his belief that Robinson should be imprisoned because he was “not right for Reform.”

Mr. Farage called US President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate “historic” and “great.” Mr. Musk, the owner

of Tesla and X, the social media platform that was formerly known as Twitter, met Mr. Farage there in December.

That meeting came amid reports Mr Musk was considering donating up to 100 million US dollars (£79 million) to Reform UK.

Mr Farage has defended the tech tycoon’s attacks on the UK Government over its handling of grooming gangs in a

series of posts on X, although he distanced himself from Mr Musk’s support for Robinson, saying he was “not what we need”.

In a post on X on Sunday, Mr Musk said: “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”

He then appeared to endorse Rupert Lowe, one of the party’s five MPs, as a replacement.

In response to a post asking whether the Great Yarmouth MP and former chairman of Southampton FC should take

over the top position, Mr. Musk commented, “I have not met Rupert Lowe, but his statements online that I have read

so far make a lot of sense.”

Hours after defending Mr. Musk in an interview, Mr. Farage responded on X, writing: “Well, this is a surprise!

Although Elon is an amazing person, I’m afraid I disagree with him on this.

“I never compromise on my values, and I continue to believe that Tommy Robinson is not the best candidate for reform.”

Robinson, whose true name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was found guilty of contempt of court in October and is

currently serving an 18-month prison sentence.

Shortly after, Mr Musk posted “FREE TOMMY ROBINSON NOW”.

Mr Lowe backed the Reform UK leader, posting on X: “Nigel is leader of Reform. He made Brexit happen, and for

that I will always be grateful.

“I look forward to working with Nigel and the entire team to continue to hold this incompetent Labour Party to

account, democratise our own party, win the next election and form a Reform Government.”

He agreed that Robinson was “not right for Reform” and thanked Mr Musk for his “kind comments”.

Mr Musk had expressed support for the jailed activist in a post on Thursday.

When Clacton MP Mr Farage was asked afterwards whether Reform UK would accept support from Robinson in the

future, he said: “We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need.”

On the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show, Mr. Farage supported South African-born businessman Mr. Musk’s

criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.

Mr. Farage stated that although Mr. Musk had used “very tough terms,” “tough things get said in public life.”

Regarding Mr. Musk’s remarks regarding Robinson, he stated that “real friends” occasionally “agree to disagree.”

Mr. Farage responded, “I think I made it perfectly clear that I don’t agree with everything he stands for, but I do

believe in free speech,” when asked if he was hesitant to condemn Mr. Musk because of a possible donation.

“I said long before any possible money was offered that I think he’s a hero.”

After the Mar-a-Lago meeting, Mr Farage said the two had discussed money and there would be “ongoing

negotiations”.

Elon Musk appears to back ex Southampton boss to replace Nigel Farage