Sadiq Khan suggested Donald Trump "has a crush" on him after the US President reignited his decade-long feud with the London Mayor. The politicians have been exchanging barbs since 2015, and things came to a head last year when the American accused Sir Sadiq of wanting London "to go to Sharia law" during an odd UN General Assembly speech. He hit back at the time, labelling the White House leader as "racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic."
Trump's Latest Attack
Their bitter war of words escalated this week when Trump went off subject and randomly told reporters in the Oval Office this week that Sir Sadiq was a "bad person" and a "horrible representative" for the UK. He then went on to tell Brits: "I don't want to cause any problems, but your Mayor of London is grossly incompetent."
Khan's Response
Speaking at the launch of his Heat Ready Plan at Islington fire station in north-east London, Sir Sadiq has again refused to let Trump's remarks pass with a response. "I'm not sure why I'm living rent free inside President Trump's head," he said after being quizzed on the latest blast. "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, a prestigious award in urban planning, was awarded to London in June in Singapore.
History of the Feud
Sir Sadiq's spat with Trump dates back to at least a decade, when the Labour politician condemned the then presidential hopeful's suggestion that Muslims should be banned from travelling to the US. After being elected in 2016, the mayor described 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 Trump said: "At least seven dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'." The mayor had actually said the public should not be alarmed by an increased police presence in the wake of the atrocity.
Khan Rules Out Return to Westminster
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.
