Cancel Donald Trump's state visit, says Sadiq Khan
London Mayor says UK should not 'roll out the red carpet' for a president whose policies 'go against everything we stand for'
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for Donald Trump's state visit to the UK to be cancelled over the US President's tweets following the London Bridge terror attack.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, he said: "I don't think we should roll out the red carpet to the president of the USA in the circumstances where his policies go against everything we stand for.
"When you have a special relationship it is no different from when you have got a close mate. You stand with them in times of adversity but you call them out when they are wrong. There are many things about which Donald Trump is wrong."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Khan spoke out after the US President attacked his response to the terror strikes on Saturday.
On Sunday, Trump tweeted that Khan had said there was no reason for Londoners to be alarmed by terrorism.
However, Khan had actually said: "Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days. There's no reason to be alarmed."
When Trump was criticised for taking the Mayor's words out of context, he sent a second tweet saying Khan had come up with a "pathetic excuse" which "mainstream media" was "working hard to sell".
Several commentators have accused Trump of attacking Khan because he is the first Muslim mayor of a European capital, contrasting the tweets with his support for Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, after the Manchester Arena bombing.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the idea was "utterly ridiculous" and denied Trump had taken Khan's words out of context.
Trump will visit the UK in October following his invitation from Prime Minister Theresa May.
The trip was re-scheduled from June for fear it would provoke mass protests, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The Independent reports that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he saw "no reason" to withdraw the invitation following Trump tweets.
Khan previously called for the visit to be cancelled following Trump's travel ban on mainly Muslim countries in January.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How the Russia-Ukraine conflict has spread to Africa
The Explainer Ukraine is attempting to strengthen its alliances on the continent to counter Russia's growing presence
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
A history of Guantánamo Bay
The Explainer War of Terror's 'symbol of torture, rendition and indefinite detention' is subject of new Serial podcast series
By The Week UK Published
-
5 fun Easter activities from The Week Junior
The Week Junior Easter Activities Looking for some fun, simple Easter activities to do with the kids? Look no further – The Week Junior has you covered with these five fun and family-friendly activities.
By The Week UK Published
-
Mobsters jailed by Giuliani are 'thrilled' with his RICO prosecution. Former fans are sad.
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Jack Smith: the special prosecutor taking on Donald Trump
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Department of Justice has now brought two indictments against Trump following Smith’s investigations
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Michael Avenatti sentenced to 14 years in prison for tax evasion, fraud
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Report: Federal agents claim they have evidence to charge Hunter Biden with tax crimes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Was attempted FBI break-in linked to the Donald Trump Mar-a-Lago raid?
Speed Read A 42-year-old man was killed after reportedly trying to enter an FBI office in Ohio
By Amrita Gill Published
-
What was the FBI looking for in Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate?
Today's Big Question Raid on former president’s Florida home described as ‘extraordinary, historic development’
By The Week Staff Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
What putting Metropolitan Police in ‘special measures’ means for the force
Why Everyone’s Talking About Scotland Yard facing greater scrutiny and pressure to produce improvement plan following criticisms by watchdog
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published