Staff at the Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) say they’ve experienced serious harassment—and even threats to their lives—after Elon Musk shared a social media post accusing them of using young schoolgirls to “entice migrant men” to Wales. The video in question was, in fact, a school project showing pupils welcoming Ukrainian refugees, not a ‘recruitment campaign for migrants’.
Musk’s Controversial Post Sparks Outrage
The original post on X (formerly Twitter), which Musk shared, alleged the WRC was effectively “using 12-year-old girls… to entice migrant men.” Viewed more than five million times, the claim quickly drew anger and confusion online. WRC and the Welsh Government both blasted the accusations, labelling them “untrue” and “utterly irresponsible.”
Political Fallout
- Andrew RT Davies, the former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, echoed the claims and branded the video “propaganda.”
- WRC says it will refer Davies’ remarks to the Senedd’s Standards Commissioner, describing them as “factually incorrect and misleading.”
A Harsh Reality for Charity Workers
The WRC, which has operated for over three decades to assist refugees, reported that staff have been harassed online and received threats since the post went viral. One member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said the abuse made them feel “physically sick,” adding that many of the charity’s beneficiaries—vulnerable children and women—could be at greater risk of hate crimes.
What the Video Really Showed
The short film was made by Year 7 pupils at Brynteg School in Bridgend to welcome Ukrainian refugees and highlight the WRC’s services. The children donated books, toys, and clothing as part of the project. According to WRC chief executive Andrea Cleaver, the video was never intended to encourage migration; rather, it was a simple display of compassion.
- Edited Footage? Online rumours claim the video was altered to remove male pupils, but additional clips exist showing both girls and boys involved in the project.
- Removed Under Pressure: The video was taken offline in 2023 due to a hostile backlash and concerns it was being misrepresented.
Government and Police Response
The Welsh Government strongly condemned the false claims, warning that anyone “who cares about the safety of our young people should not be sharing” such allegations. South Wales Police confirmed it’s investigating an allegation of malicious communications related to the post.
Cleaver urged people to “seek the facts before sharing or endorsing inaccurate content” and reaffirmed the WRC’s commitment to welcoming and supporting refugees in Wales.
You may also like: Farage’s shock call: “We should consider bringing Shamima Begum back”
