LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has hit back at Donald Trump after he accused him of doing a “very bad job on terrorism” in the wake of last year’s attacks in the capital.
The US President, who has clashed before with Mr Khan, also accused him of failing to address crime, suggesting immigration was responsible for problems.
Mr Khan said the criticism was “preposterous”.
Mr Trump made the comments in his incendiary interview with the The Sun in which he poured scorn on Theresa May’s plan for a soft Brexit.
He said: “I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad ... You have a mayor who has done a terrible job in London. He has done a terrible job.
“Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London. I think he has done a very bad job on terrorism.
“I think he has done a bad job on crime, if you look, all of the horrible things going on there, with all of the crime that is being brought in.”
After the London Bridge van and knife attack that killed eight last year, Mr Trump accused Mr Khan of making “pathetic excuses” and underplaying the threat.
Responding to Mr Trump’s remarks, Mr Khan said: “The idea to blame immigration from Africa is preposterous, and we should call him out when does.
“It's for President Trump to explain why he has singled me out for being responsible for these acts of terrorism, and no other mayor or no other leader.
"I'm also quite clear that although there has been an increase in violent crime across England and Wales, including London, over the last four years, I don't think the rise in crime is because of immigration.
"It's for Trump to explain why he thinks there is a link between immigration into Europe and the rise in crime."
Mr Trump’s criticism followed Mr Khan refused to block protestors from flying a giant inflatable “Baby Trump” outside parliament on Friday.
He said he would not act as a censor.
“The UK, like the USA, has a long and rich history of rights and the freedom to protest and freedom of speech. The idea of restricting that and the right to assemble because someone is offended by something is a slippery slope,” he said.
Labour MP David Lammy said Mr Trump's comments confirmed he was “racist”.
He wrote on Twitter: “Trump has access to one of the world's most sophisticated intelligence services. He knows last summer's terrorist attacks didn't result from decisions made at City Hall. Each time he blames Sadiq Khan, he insults every victim and every Londoner. "I will call it like it is. The real reason Trump blames my friend Sadiq Khan for the terror attacks last year is simple. He hates that London chose a Muslim mayor. The President is racist. He does not deserve to meet our Queen today."
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