Trump says London wants 'to go to sharia law' in UN address

President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday that London has "been changed" and that authorities now "want to go to sharia law." He used the remarks to attack London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and also criticized United Nations efforts to aid asylum seekers. "I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it's been changed," he said. "Now they want to go to sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can't do that."

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq Khan said of Trump's comments: "We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response." They continued: "London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we're delighted to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here."

Trump has repeatedly attacked Sir Sadiq since 2015, when the Labour politician condemned the then-presidential hopeful's suggestion that Muslims should be banned from travelling to the US. During last week's state visit, the president said Sir Sadiq was "among the worst mayors in the world" and claimed he had asked that the mayor not attend events during the visit, including a state banquet hosted by the King at Windsor Castle. Sir Sadiq said he was "indifferent to President Trump" and had "more important things to worry about." He did not attend the state banquet, and the BBC understands he did not seek or expect an invitation. A source close to the mayor said Trump's politics sowed "fear and division".

In 2019, Trump called the mayor "a stone-cold loser" and Sir Sadiq accused him of stirring up far-right politics. The exchange comes as London officials emphasize the city’s safety record and its openness to visitors and residents, including a significant number of American migrants seeking a foothold in the capital.