Theresa May brands Donald Trump ‘wrong’ to attack Sadiq Khan – but insists his state visit will still go ahead
US President has twice trolled the mayor on Twitter for his response to the London Bridge attack
THERESA May has branded Donald Trump as “wrong” to attack London mayor Sadiq Khan – but insisted his state visit will still go ahead.
The US president twice trolled the capital’s boss on social media for attempting to reassure Londoners and encourage them to resume their normal lives after the London Bridge attack.
Slammed by British politicians on all sides, there are now demands for Mr Trump’s state visit in the Autumn to be called off.
Asked if his official trip to Britain will go ahead, Mrs May said today: “Yes”.
But in her most caustic words yet for America's leader, the PM insisted politicians should put party politics "to one side" when dealing with terror attacks.
The PM told The Sun: “The relationship with America is our deepest and most important defence and security relationship.
“Having said that, I think Donald Trump is wrong in what he said about Sadiq Khan, in relation to the attack on London Bridge.
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“We’ve been working with Sadiq Khan. When you’re working in the aftermath of an attack like that, party politics is put to one side.
“He’s been at the COBRAs and we’ve been working with him to ensure the response was right, and to get London moving again.”
Earlier, Boris Johnson also criticised Trump, and insisted Sadiq Khan "is entirely correct to reassure people".
But now that the official invitation had been offered to the US leader, the Foreign Secretary said: “I see no reason to rescind it”.
Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday, 12 hours after the attack: "At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
In a second tweet yesterday, Trump stepped up his attack, saying: “Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his "no reason to be alarmed" statement. MSM is working hard to sell it!