Fury as Trump twists Mayor’s assurance over police presence
DONALD Trump has sparked anger by twisting the London Mayor’s assurance the public had “no reason to be alarmed” by a bigger police presence.
As other world leaders yesterday sent messages of support, the US President targeted Sadiq Khan.
He tweeted: “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’”
But Mr Khan had said: “Londoners will see an increased police presence – no reason to be alarmed.
“One of the things police and all of us need to do is make sure we’re as safe as we possibly can be.”
David Lammy, Labour candidate for Tottenham, North London, said Trump should “put his phone down”.
He added: “It is deeply offensive to the victims and first responders and the people of London to tweet such words about our elected Mayor who, as we speak is on the frontline, working with police, to keep London safe.”
A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump’s ill-informed tweet.”
And the US ambassador in London, Lewis Lukens, tweeted: “I commend the strong leadership of the @MayorofLondon as he leads the city forward after this heinous attack.”
Elsewhere Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “heartbroken” to hear a Canadian national had been killed. He added: “Canadians stand united with the British people.”
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull said two of his citizens were affected by the attack, and said his “resolute solidarity” was with the British people.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s office said four French nationals were caught up in the horror. The leader added his country was “more than ever at Britain’s side”.
Germany’s Angela Merkel said: “We are united across all borders in horror and sadness, but equally in determination.” And European Council chief Donald Tusk tweeted: “Europe stands by UK in fight against terrorism.”
Russia’s Kremlin said Vladimir Putin had “expressed confidence that the response should be escalating joint efforts in the fight against terror”.