The controversial comments of Elon Musk during the unite the Kingdom rally in London raised doubts about its Royal Society purse – the most prestigious scientific institution in the world.
Addressing the rally organized by right -wing activist Tommy Robinson, Musk criticized the “uncontrolled migration” and said: “Whether you choose violence or not, violence comes to you. You fight or die.”
In response, Sir Adrian Smith, president of the company, wrote a letter to scholarship holders in which he raised concerns concerning “the use of the language of violence” and the threat it posed for the values of the organization.
He said the question would be discussed at the company’s next meeting.
Elon Musk was elected for the first time a member of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Kingdom in 2018, for his work in the spaces of space and electric vehicles. But its participation continues in the Royal Society has become more and more controversial.
Earlier this year, thousands of scientists have signed a letter raising concerns about its involvement in funding for American scientific research, as part of its previous role in the Ministry of Effectiveness of the Trump Government.
The company debated its scholarship in March, but it was decided that it would remain. Some scholarship holders have said that any attempt to withdraw it could be considered a reduction in freedom of expression.
Without reinforcing musk directly, Sir Adrian Smith wrote to Fellows: “I am sure that many of you will share my concern during last week’s events and the growing trend to resort to the language of violence in the continuation of political programs – including, unfortunately, an address to the recent London gathering with a Royal Society Boursier.”
He continued by saying: “Most of us had the chance to have lived our lives in contexts where the fundamental values of tolerance, courtesy, respect for others and freedom of expression were widely recognized and respected and we came for granted.”
“It is not an accident that human understanding and science have also prospered to an extraordinary extent during this period. Threats to these values are now real,” he finished.
Addressing the crowd on Saturday via a video link, Musk said: “I think there is something beautiful to be British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Great Britain, initially a slow erosion but a growing erosion of Great Britain with an uncontrolled massive migration.
“This is a message at the reasonable center, people who were generally not involved in politics, who just want to live their lives.
“They don’t want that, they are silent, they are just about their business.
“My message is for them: if that continues, this violence will come to you, you will have no choice. You are in a fundamental situation here.
“Whether you choose violence or not, violence comes to you. You fight or die, it’s the truth, I think.”
Any decision to remove Mr. Musk would be an important moment in the history of the organization. It has been 250 years that a member of the Royal Society has been ejected: the German scientist and writer Rudolf Erich Raspe, accused of theft and fraud.
Mr. Musk was approached for comments from BBC News sent via his Tesla and Space X companies.
