Sir Sadiq Khan has said he is “delighted” after being slammed by Donald Trump at a summit in Scotland with Sir Keir Starmer. The US President described London’s Labour Mayor as a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job”. The Prime Minister then jumped to his colleague’s defence. Speaking to reporters after being asked if he would visit London during his upcoming state visit in September, Mr Trump said: “I’m not a fan of your mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job, the Mayor of London… a nasty person.”
The Prime Minister intervened to say: “He’s a friend of mine, actually.” Mr Trump went on to say: “I think he’s done a terrible job. But I would certainly visit London.”
Now, Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson has hit back. They said: “Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world.
“He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer.
“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his Presidency.”
Donald Trump said he likes Sir Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage, describing them both as “good men”.
Referring to the Prime Minister and the Reform UK leader, the US president said: “I happen to like both men. I like this man [Sir Keir] a lot, and I like Nigel.
“And, you know, I don’t know the politics over here. I don’t know where they stand.
“I would say one is slightly liberal – not that liberal, slightly – and the other one is slightly conservative, but they’re they’re both good men.”
Mr Trump added: “I think the one that’s toughest and most competent on immigration is going to win the election, but then you add… low taxes, and you add the economy.
“[Sir Keir] did a great thing with the economy, because a lot of money is going to come in because of the deal that was made. But I think that, I think that immigration is now bigger than ever before.”