US President Donald Trump, addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, claimed that London is moving toward implementing Sharia law, taking aim once again at London Mayor Sadiq Khan. He also criticised the UN for its support of asylum seekers.
Trump said, “I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed. Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that.”
Responding to Trump’s remarks, a spokesperson for Mayor Khan said, “We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response.” They added, “London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we’re proud to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here.”
Trump has targeted Khan repeatedly since 2015, after the Labour politician opposed Trump’s proposal to bar Muslims from entering the US. During last week’s state visit, Trump described Khan as “among the worst mayors in the world” and said he had requested the mayor not attend official events, including a state banquet hosted by the King at Windsor Castle.
Khan responded by saying he was “indifferent to President Trump” and had “more important things to worry about.” He did not attend the state banquet, nor did he expect an invitation, according to the BBC. A source close to the mayor accused Trump’s politics of fostering “fear and division.”
Trump has previously called Khan “a stone-cold loser,” a comment the mayor said fuelled far-right politics. Following Trump’s latest attack, several of London’s Labour MPs defended Khan.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting stressed that Khan is “not trying to impose Sharia law on London” and described him as a mayor committed to celebrating diversity, improving transport, air quality, public safety, and opportunities for residents.
Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq labelled Trump’s statement “blatant bare-faced lies,” while Rosena Allin-Khan, the MP for Tooting, urged that the US ambassador be summoned over the remarks.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
