On Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed Donald Trump’s recent claim about an effort to implement Islamic Sharia law in London, labeling it “nonsense” and expressing support for London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a rare critique of the US president.
Earlier this week, Trump criticized European immigration policies at the United Nations, specifically targeting London by stating, “now they want to go to Sharia law,” and denouncing Khan as a “terrible, terrible mayor.”
Starmer told ITV London, “The notion of introducing Sharia law is nonsense, and Sadiq Khan is a very good man.” He further stated, “There are few things I disagree with Trump on, but this is certainly one of them.”
Khan, aligned with Starmer’s centre-left Labour Party, made history in 2016 as the first Muslim elected as London’s mayor. He has since been re-elected twice, holding the largest personal mandate of any British politician.
Trump’s remarks at the General Assembly mark the latest chapter in a long-standing public feud with Khan, dating back to at least 2017 when Khan criticized Trump’s proposed travel ban on several majority-Muslim nations.
Despite their differences, Starmer, a technocrat with socialist leanings, and Trump, a Republican known for his unpredictability, have managed to maintain a good working relationship.
Trump’s comments this Tuesday followed a week after he praised the U.S.-British alliance during an unprecedented second state visit to Britain, complete with royal ceremonies like a carriage procession and a white-tie banquet.
Khan countered Trump’s remarks by accusing him of being “racist, sexist, misogynistic, and Islamophobic,” citing data showing a record number of Americans choosing to settle in Britain.
