London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has said Donald Trump “appears to have a crush” on him after the US President re-ignited their long-standing feud
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has said Donald Trump “appears to have a crush” on him after the US President re-ignited his long-standing feud with the Labour politician, describing him as “grossly incompetent”.
Mr Trump told reporters in the White House’s Oval Office on Wednesday Sir Sadiq was a “bad person” and a “horrible representative” for the UK, adding: “I don’t want to cause any problems, but your Mayor of London is grossly incompetent.”
Speaking at the launch of his Heat Ready Plan at Islington fire station, in north-east London, Sir Sadiq told the Press Association: “I’m not sure why I’m living rent free inside President Trump’s head.
“I’m not quite clear why this man appears to have a crush on me. You know, all I would say is it could be because I’m the mayor of a progressive, multicultural, liberal, successful city. Last week, London won the Lee Kuan Yew Prize as the world’s best city. That’s probably why President Trump is upset.”
The Lee Kuan Yew Prize, which is a prestigious award in urban planning, was awarded to London in June in Singapore.
Sir Sadiq’s spat with Mr Trump dates back to at least 2015, when the Labour politician condemned the then presidential hopeful’s suggestion that Muslims should be banned from travelling to the US.
After Mr Khan’s election in 2016, the mayor described Mr Trump’s views on Islam as “ignorant”, prompting the US tycoon to challenge him to an IQ test.
The row intensified following the 2017 London Bridge terror attack when Mr Trump said: “At least seven dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’.”
Mr Khan had actually said the public should not be alarmed by an increased police presence in the wake of the atrocity.
Speaking to the Press Association, Sir Sadiq also ruled out a return to Westminster after Andy Burnham, who was also a metro mayor, was sworn in as an MP on Monday.
“No, I’ve got the best job in politics,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Andy Burnham as the new prime minister, and he’s a friend.
“We were in cabinet together, we’re in shadow cabinet together, we were metro mayors together, and I’ve set him up for a few goals as well.
“So, I’m sure he’ll remember that when he’s prime minister.”
He added he was “really sad” to see Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement on Monday he will resign as Prime Minister and praised him for turning the party around in the wake of the “devastating” general election defeat in 2019.
