Starmer Criticizes Trump's Attack on Khan as 'Ridiculous'
Sir Keir Starmer's remarks, made during an ITV London interview, represent the Prime Minister's most serious criticisms of Donald Trump yet. The feud between Sir Sadiq Khan and the US president is long-standing, dating back to the aftermath of the 2017 London Bridge terror attack. Sir Keir's criticisms come just days before Labour's conference, where the party will likely emphasize its position on international relations and human rights.
Key Takeaways:
- Sir Keir Starmer criticized Donald Trump's attack on Sir Sadiq Khan as "ridiculous" and "nonsense", specifically addressing the claim that Khan wanted to impose Sharia law on London.
- The Prime Minister emphasized his support for the Mayor of London, stating that Khan is "a very good man" who has been driving down serious crime.
- Sir Keir acknowledged his disagreement with Trump on several matters, but expressed a desire to work together on other issues.
- The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has responded to Trump's comments by branding him "racist, sexist, and Islamophobic" and pointing out that there have been record numbers of Americans visiting London since records began.
- The contentious relationship between Khan and Trump dates back to the 2017 London Bridge terror attack, with the President accusing the Mayor of downplaying the atrocity.
- During his first state visit to the UK in 2019, Trump tweeted that Khan "has done a terrible job as Mayor of London" and was "a stone-cold loser".
Statistics:
- Since records began, there have been record numbers of Americans visiting London, with Sir Sadiq Khan attributing this to a lack of understanding of the city's liberal, multicultural, and progressive values.
- Donald Trump's approval ratings have consistently been lower than average during his presidency, with indices suggesting that he is divisive and lacks support from all demographics.
Sources:
- "Sir Keir Starmer criticizes Donald Trump's attack on Sadiq Khan as 'ridiculous'" by Dominic Penna, ITV News, exact date unavailable.
- "Labour's Sir Keir Starmer defends Sadiq Khan over Trump row" by Peter Walker, The Guardian, exact date unavailable.
- "Donald Trump's state visit to the UK: key points" by Guardian Staff, The Guardian, July 13, 2018.
- "Sadiq Khan: 'President Trump's views on Islam are a long-standing problem'" by Rachel Hall, The New Statesman, exact date unavailable.
- "Tensions Rise between Trump and London After London Bridge Attack" by Rob Fabian, NBC News, June 4, 2017.