Boris mocks Trump over ‘radicalised’ City claims
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has been mocked by Boris Johnson and criticised by Downing Street after claiming that parts of London were “so radicalised” that police were “afraid for their own lives”.
David Cameron’s official spokeswoman said the Prime Minister would “clearly disagree” with the would-be president and think that his views are “wrong”, while the London mayor said Mr Trump’s “ill-informed” comments were “nonsense”.
Mr Trump’s latest outspoken statements followed his call for Muslims to be barred from entering America, which were criticised as “divisive, unhelpful and quite simply wrong” by Mr Cameron.
Speaking to MSNBC in the US, Mr Trump said: “We have places in London and other places that are so radicalised that the police are afraid for their own lives. We have to be very smart and very vigilant.”
Mr Cameron’s official spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister would clearly disagree with Donald Trump and think that his views are wrong.”
Mr Johnson ridiculed the business tycoon, who is seeking the Republican nomination for next year’s presi- dential election, saying “the only reason I wouldn’t go to some parts of New York is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump”.
He said: “Donald Trump’s illinformed comments are complete and utter nonsense. As a city where more than 300 languages are spoken, London has a proud history of tolerance and diversity and to suggest there are areas where police officers cannot go because of radicalisation is simply ridiculous.
“I would welcome the opportunity to show Mr Trump first hand some of the excellent work our police officers do every day in local neighbourhoods throughout our city.
“Crime has been falling steadily both in London and in New York – and the only reason I wouldn’t go to some parts of New York is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump.”
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: “We would not normally dignify such comments with a response, however on this occasion we think it’s important to state to Londoners that Mr Trump could not be more wrong.
“Any candidate for the presidential election in the United States of America is welcome to receive a briefing from the Met Police on the reality of policing London.”
Mr Trump’s call for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the US came in the wake of last week’s terror attack in San Bernardino, California, where a Muslim couple believed to have been radicalised shot 14 dead at a health centre.
Mr Cameron’s official spokeswoman declined to say whether Mr Trump’s comments might lead to him being barred from entry to the UK under hate-speech laws.
But she said: “The Prime Minister completely disagrees with the com- ments made by Donald Trump, which are divisive, unhelpful and quite simply wrong.”
The Downing Street statement represents a departure from the practice usually followed by British prime ministers of avoiding commentary on US presidential contenders.
Campaigners against Mr Trump’s golf course development in Scotland have submitted a petition to Parliament calling for him to be barred from the UK “for his continued, unrepentant hate speech and unacceptable behaviour”. The petition is under consideration for inclusion on the parliamentary website.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: “These offensive, ignorant comments are unacceptable and I know that he’s not speaking for the people of America. Prejudiced and divisive in equal measure, Mr Trump should apologise at once.”
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood added: “Trump is hoping to gain votes by attacking Muslims. An attack on one, should be seen as an attack on all of us. Divisive remarks, racism and intolerance have no place in any society.”