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Sadiq Khan has hit back at Donald Trump, accusing the US president of being “racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic” after he used a speech at the UN to call the London mayor “terrible” and claim the city was being steered toward “sharia law”.
Trump’s remarks on Tuesday night provoked anger among Labour figures, with the health secretary, Wes Streeting, praising Khan as someone who “stands up for difference of background and opinion”.
However, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, a close ally of Keir Starmer, stopped short on Wednesday of commenting on Trump’s remarks about Khan. Instead, McFadden defended London’s reputation as a global city.
Khan later launched a blistering attack on Trump. He said: “I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist he is misogynistic and he’s Islamophobic.”
The London mayor also subtly criticised senior Labour figures, including the prime minister, for not calling out Trump’s rhetoric.
Trump has been publicly attacking the mayor of London since 2015, when Khan criticised the then presidential candidate for suggesting that Muslims should be banned from travelling to the US.
In an address to the UN general assembly, 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.”
Pressed on what he made of Trump’s description of him as a “terrible, terrible mayor”, Khan pointed to the record numbers of American visitors and investors choosing London.
He said: “Since records began, there’s only been a period where more Americans have come to London.
“There must be a reason for that. You look at a number of different criteria; we’re often the No 1 city in the globe when it comes to culture, when it comes to foreign investment, when it comes to sports, when it comes to the ability of people to fulfil their potential. I’m really proud we are the greatest city in the world.”
Khan did not directly criticise the prime minister, McFadden and others who are yet to directly call out Trump’s rhetoric, but he indicated “they should have the confidence to”, given the UK and US have a special relationship.
Asked whether Starmer should be befriending Trump, Khan said: “One of the things about having a special relationship, it’s akin to having a best friend. I think when you have a best friend, you should expect more from them.
“It’s very different to an acquaintance or somebody who’s just, you know, a distant friend. I think one of the advantages of having a special relationship with the USA is obviously when it comes to trade, when it comes to military alliances.
“When it comes to other areas, where we work closely together, but it should also mean you’ve got the confidence to call them out when they’re wrong. I think President Trump is wrong in many, many ways.”
Last week Trump described Khan as “among the worst mayors in the world” and claimed he had made sure Khan was not invited to the banquet he attended at Windsor. Sources close to the mayor said this was false.
McFadden referred to Trump’s long-running dispute with Khan and said: “I think the two of them have had a beef for some years.”
The work and pensions secretary, who was on the government morning media round, later described London as “a great capital city that we have” adding: “I think it’s a great asset to the UK. And I’m afraid I differ from the president on that.”
Nigel Farage said Trump was right to say that sharia law “is an issue” in London, adding: “Trump has a point.”
The Reform UK leader told LBC: “Never take what he [Trump] says literally, ever on anything. But always take everything he says seriously.”
He added: “So is he right to say that sharia is an issue in London? Yes. Is it an overwhelming issue at this stage? No. Has the mayor of London directly linked himself to it? No.”
