In response to Donald Trump’s assertion that London desires sharia law, Cabinet minister Pat McFadden dismissed the claim as a misunderstanding of the city. The remarks from Keir Starmer’s senior official came following President Trump’s criticism of the “awful” Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
During his speech at the UN General Assembly, Trump criticized London’s mayor, stating, “I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible terrible mayor, and it’s been so changed, so changed.” He also added, “Now they want to go to sharia law.”
McFadden, speaking on BBC Breakfast, emphasized that London operates under British law, not sharia law. He highlighted London’s significance as a major economic and creative hub, contradicting Trump’s statements about the city.
A representative for Sadiq Khan responded to Trump by stating, “We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response.” They affirmed London’s status as a welcoming and safe city for all, including a growing number of American residents.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended Sadiq Khan, stating that the mayor promotes diversity, equality, and urban improvement initiatives, rather than advocating for sharia law in London.
Labour MPs united in support of Sadiq Khan, with Dame Emily Thornberry praising his dedication to feminism, socialism, and LGBTQ+ rights. They denounced Trump’s comments as false and urged action against his Islamophobic rhetoric.
The politicians reiterated London’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, emphasizing the city’s global reputation for tolerance and progress under Sadiq Khan’s leadership.