US President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the mayor of London over his response to Saturday's terror attack that took the lives of seven people.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the American president had “deliberately” taken his comments following the attack out of context.
It came after Mr Khan warned the citizens of London that there would be an increased armed police presence on the streets over the coming days, adding that there was “no reason to be alarmed” by the heightened security.
“We are all shocked and angry today but this is our city,” he said. “We will never let these cowards win and we will never be cowed by terrorism.”
President Trump tweeted: At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
Mr Khan’s spokesperson said the mayor had “more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump’s ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks.”
"The Mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services, and the government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city," said the spokesperson.
This afternoon however, the American President doubled down on his remarks and suggested Mr Khan had been forced to “think fast” on his statement.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017
Mr Khan became the first Muslim to become the mayor of a major Western capital when he was elected in May 2016.
Travel Ban
President Trump also appeared to use the attack to promote his attempted travel ban executive order – and he continued on the same tack today.
He said the latest version of the proposed ban on travellers from six Muslim-majority countries entering the US was "watered down."
His administration last week asked the US Supreme Court to immediately reinstate the ban - and today he called on the US Justice Department to attempt to speed up the process, and “seek a much tougher version.”
He insisted that immigration officers are implementing “extreme vetting” procedures at US borders in spite of the difficulties facing the order – although he did not elaborate on what that might mean.
People, the lawyers and the courts can call it whatever they want, but I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017
The Justice Dept. should have stayed with the original Travel Ban, not the watered down, politically correct version they submitted to S.C.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017
The Justice Dept. should ask for an expedited hearing of the watered down Travel Ban before the Supreme Court - & seek much tougher version!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017
In any event we are EXTREME VETTING people coming into the U.S. in order to help keep our country safe. The courts are slow and political!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017
London vigil
Mr Khan attended the British Cabinet’s emergency COBRA meeting this morning, chaired by British Prime Minister Theresa May.
He said security services are “doing everything they can to keep us safe.”
The London mayor will lead a vigil tonight in the city to remember the victims of the attack.
The vigil will be held at 6pm in Potters Fields Park near London’s City Hall – with a minutes silence to be held across the city at 6:20pm.
