Elon Musk Responds After Not Being Invited to UK Investment Summit

Elon Musk has fired back at the UK government after reports surfaced that he was not invited to its upcoming International Investment Summit. 

The tech billionaire took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration, saying, “I don't think anyone should go to the UK when they're releasing convicted paedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts."

Musk’s comments appear to reference the UK government’s recent early release program aimed at reducing prison overcrowding. More than 1,700 prisoners were released under this scheme, but it did not include those convicted of sexual offences. 

BBC reports reason for no invitation as his social media posts during anti-immigration riots

His remarks came after the BBC reported that his absence from the summit was linked to his social media posts during the violent anti-immigration riots in the UK last month.

During the August riots, Musk posted several controversial comments, including one predicting that civil war in the UK was “inevitable.” He also shared a conspiracy theory about detainment camps on the Falkland Islands, which he later deleted. 

The UK government strongly condemned his remarks, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's team labeling them “unjustifiable.”

The investment summit, scheduled for next month, aims to draw significant global investments into the UK economy, with leaders from top financial and tech companies set to attend. The summit is a major effort by the Labour government to attract billions in inward investment, a key part of their strategy to boost the economy.

Mixed reactions to lack of invitation for Musk

Musk’s exclusion from the summit has raised questions about the government’s decision-making process. Some, like Jeremy Hunt, former Conservative chancellor, expressed disappointment at his absence, calling it a "big loss." 

Hunt noted that Musk had previously mentioned the UK as a potential site for a new car plant. Musk ultimately chose Germany for his European gigafactory, citing Brexit as a contributing factor.

Public relations experts like David Yelland were less sympathetic, with Yelland stating that Musk’s behaviour could have been “reputationally disastrous” for the event. 

“He posts things that are deeply inaccurate and extremely damaging,” Yelland said, adding that Musk’s stance on free speech often crosses into territory that undermines his credibility.

The government has not officially commented on Musk’s exclusion from the summit. However, some speculate that the decision reflects concerns about the reputational risk associated with the billionaire’s unpredictable behaviour online. His massive following on X means that his words carry significant weight, and the government seems keen to avoid any potential controversy.

Musk’s relationship with the UK has been rocky in recent years. While he was a major figure at the AI Safety Summit in November 2023, where he sat down with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, his public clashes with the current Labour government suggest his influence may be waning.

The upcoming summit will proceed without Musk, focusing on securing investment from other major players. Meanwhile, Musk’s attention may be shifting to Europe, with reports suggesting he is eyeing locations for a second gigafactory after completing a plant in Mexico earlier this year.