US President Donald Trump slammed Sadiq Khan at a summit in Scotland with Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. He described the Mayor of London as a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job” in the capital.
Trump delivered the damning verdict during a news conference with Keir Starmer, when a reporter asked whether he would visit London during his upcoming state visit. The President responded: “I’m not a fan of your mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job, the Mayor of London… a nasty person.” Sir Sadiq previously came under fire when he was chosen for a Knighthood, with politicians and residents saying Londoners have faced increased knife crime, a housing crisis and soaring council tax under his watch.
Keir Starmer weakly defended his colleague, telling Trump that the three-term Mayor of London is “a good friend of mine”. So what do you think? Is Donald Trump right about Sadiq Khan? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section.
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After Trump’s comments yesterday, the Prime Minister came to the Labour Mayor’s defence, saying: “He’s a friend of mine, actually.” However, Trump went on to say: “I think he’s done a terrible job. But I would certainly visit London.”
Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson hit back by hinting at dissatisfaction among US residents under Trump’s presidency. He 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.”
Trump was far more favourable to Sir Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage, whom he described as “good men” that he liked.
Sir Sadiq Khan received a Knighthood earlier this year, however it was met with strong criticism, including from shadow home secretary Chris Philp who labelled it as a “reward for failure”.
Philp said under Sadiq Khan, Londoners have faced increased knife crime, a housing crisis and soaring council tax, and they will “rightly be furious his track record of failure is being rewarded”.
“By rewarding the failing Sadiq Khan, Keir Starmer has shown once again that for Labour it is Party first, country second,” he added.
A petition to stop the Knighthood gained more than 220,000 signatures, citing London’s crime rate, and the cost of living, including soaring rental costs and transport hikes.
The 220,000-strong petition read: “Our once thriving capital is now divided and stagnant, and all under his watch. We’ve seen Khan continuously deflect responsibility and accountability, blaming everybody but himself.”