London Mayor Sadiq Khan has requested that British diplomatic officials worldwide help combat false information about his city that has been promoted by President Donald Trump.
Speaking to Reuters after meeting with British diplomats, ambassadors and high commissioners on Tuesday, Khan expressed concern about what he termed misleading claims being spread about London.
Trump has previously criticized Khan, whom he has labeled a “terrible mayor,” and has made various statements about London, claiming crime rates are extremely high and suggesting the city wants to implement Islamic law.
Khan acknowledged that London isn’t without problems but emphasized that it remains secure and is actually safer than many major American cities. The mayor, who made history in 2016 as London’s first Muslim mayor and has since won two additional elections, cited recent crime statistics to support his position.
According to Khan, London achieved its lowest homicide rate per capita on record last year, while incidents of phone theft have also decreased recently.
“A lot of this misinformation, disinformation and lies comes from the United States of America,” Khan stated. “It’s really important to counter the propaganda coming from President Trump.”
The White House has not responded to requests for comment regarding Khan’s statements.
Khan emphasized the need to better challenge false narratives that circulate globally. “One of the things that we’ve got to do better is to rebut these lies that exist across the globe,” he said, stressing that diplomatic personnel need accurate information to counter misconceptions about London.
The mayor expressed worry that such false claims spreading through social media platforms might discourage tourism, investment, residency, and educational opportunities in London, potentially damaging the city’s economic future.
The diplomatic meeting included representatives from multiple countries, including the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Japan, along with officials from London’s Metropolitan Police.
The ongoing public dispute between Trump and Khan began around 2017, when Khan criticized Trump’s proposed travel restrictions targeting several predominantly Muslim nations.
