Jeremy Corbyn leaps to Sadiq Khan’s defence over Donald Trump ‘Londonistan’ tweet storm
2 min read
Jeremy Corbyn has leapt to the defence of London Mayor Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump launched a tweetstorm about "Londonistan".
The Labour leader accused the US President of spreading “hateful” rhetoric after he branded Sadiq Khan a "national disgrace" and called for him to be replaced as London mayor.
On Saturday, the controversial commander-in-chief shared a tweet from right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins after she described the capital as “Londonistan” following 24 hours of violence in the city which left three young men dead.
Mr Trump added: “London needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster – will only get worse!”
In a further tweet he described Mr Khan as a “national disgrace” who was “destroying the city of London”.
But Mr Corbyn, who attended a protest against Mr Trump's visit, waded into the row, saying it was "absolutely awful" for the US leader to use the deaths to attack the Labour mayor.
"Sadiq Khan is rightly supporting the police to do their job while Katie Hopkins spreads hateful and divisive rhetoric,”"he said.
"They seek to divide at a time we need to come together."
A spokesperson for Mr Khan meanwhile said: "Sadiq is focusing on supporting London’s communities and over-stretched emergency services.
"He has been in regular touch with senior Met police officers last night and throughout the day.
"His thought are with the victim’s families. He is not going to waste his time responding to this sort of tweet."
The row comes after Mr Khan clashed with the US President during his state visit to the UK earlier this month.
Just moments after arriving in London, the President launched a tirade at Mr Khan describing him as a “stone-cold loser” who had failed to get to grips with soaring levels of violent crime in the city.
It followed Mr Khan’s concerns that the UK should not be “rolling out the red carpet” for the US President.
Mr Khan, who approved protestor's requests to fly a ‘Trump baby’ blimp during the state visit, added: “Our closes ally is akin to a best friend – and the thing about a best friend is that you stand shoulder to should with them in times of adversity, but you’ve got to call them out when you think they’re wrong.
“There are so many things about President Donald Trump’s policies that are the antithesis of our values in London, but also our values as a country.”
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