The Mayor of London has called on the PM to cancel Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK after the president criticised his response to the London Bridge terror attack.
Soon after offering support to Londoners in the wake of last weekend’s terrorist attack, Trump was on Twitter accusing Sadiq Khan of being ‘pathetic’.
Trump, who frequently uses Twitter to deal with matters of state, took issue with the fact Mr Khan was calling for calm after the attack.
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
After the Mayor’s team pointed out he was reassuring Londoners that there was no need to be alarmed at the increased police presence, Trump accused Mr Khan of making a ‘pathetic excuse.’
Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his "no reason to be alarmed" statement. MSM is working hard to sell it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017
The president’s attack came as part of a wider rant about political correctness, his controversial travel ban — dubbed by critics as a ‘Muslim ban’ —, and even a comment on the gun control debate.
The US embassy in London’s response to the Mayor’s initial comments on the terrorist attack was in start contrast to Trump’s.
I commend the strong leadership of the @MayorofLondon as he leads the city forward after this heinous attack. – LLukens 3/3 https://t.co/p4dDZuCpyO
— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) June 4, 2017
Sadiq Khan brushed off the Twitter tirade in an interview with Channel 4 news where he said he didn’t have time to respond to tweets from Donald Trump.
Pressed on what he thought of the President’s planned state visit to the UK, he said: ‘I don’t think we should be rolling out the red carpet to the president of the USA in the circumstances where his policies go against everything we stand for.’
The Mayor then said the ‘special relationship’ between the UK and the US was no different to having a close friend where you stand with them in times of adversity but you call them out when they’re wrong, before adding: ‘There are many things about which Donald Trump is wrong.’
