Boris Johnson says there's 'no reason' to block Donald Trump's state visit despite 'smears' on Sadiq Khan

Robin de Peyer6 June 2017
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Boris Johnson has said he sees “no reason” for Donald Trump’s state visit to London to be cancelled despite his attacks on Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The US President sparked a row with a series of attacks on Mr Khan in the wake of the murder of seven people in a terror attack in London Bridge on Saturday night.

Mr Trump tweeted in the wake of the attack: “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’”

He later continued to criticise the Mayor, posting: “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!”

Mr Trump appeared to be misquoting the Mayor, who had told Londoners not to be alarmed in a reference to the increased armed police presence in the capital after the attack.

The comments sparked widespread fury from figures across the political spectrum. Liberal Democrat leader said described Mr Trump as an “embarrassment to America”, adding: “This is a man insulting our national values at a time of introspection and mourning."

Donald Trump, left, and Sadiq Khan,have clashed over the London Bridge terror attack
PA

And Labour MP David Lammy tweeted to the President: “You demean your office by misquoting and smearing the Mayor of a city that has just been attacked and is also the capital of your close ally.”

Mr Khan himself suggested last night that the visit should be cancelled, saying: “I don't think we should roll out the red carpet to the president of the USA in the circumstances where his policies go against everything we stand for.”

But, speaking to the BBC, Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson said the visit should go ahead.

“The invitation has been issued and accepted and I see no reason to rescind it,” he said.

“I do not wish to interpose myself between the Mayor of London and the President of the United States.”

Mr Johnson also backed Mr Khan’s comments about the presence of armed police, saying: “It's entirely right that Sadiq - as the mayor of the greatest city on earth - should reassure his public and his citizens about the presence of armed police on the streets. He was making a very sensible point and he was entirely right to do so."

On Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May refused to publicly admonish Mr Trump over his comments.

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