Washington : US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump claims new London Mayor Sadiq Khan would be exempted from his proposed ban on Muslims entering the US, British tabloid newspaper Daily Mirror reported.
It comes after Khan said any visit to see counterparts in New York and Chicago would have to be made before the presidential inauguration in January in case Trump makes it to the White House.
Khan told Time magazine he was confident Trump’s approach to politics would not prevail when America goes to the polls in November.
He warned: “I want to go to America to meet with and engage with American mayors. If Donald Trump becomes the president I’ll be stopped from going there by virtue of my faith, which means I can’t engage with American mayors and swap ideas.”
The billionaire sparked international condemnation when he proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US after the Paris terror attacks.
From his side British Prime Minister David Cameron labelled the idea “stupid” and calls to ban Trump from entering Britain were raised in Parliament after a petition attracted nearly 600,000 signatures.
The presumptive Republican candidate said he was “happy” voters had chosen Khan, a practicing Muslim, adding that it would be a “very good thing” if he is successful in the role.
Around the time of his comments on banning Muslims from the US, Trump provoked further criticism by claiming parts of London were “no-go areas” as some areas of the capital were “so radicalized that the police are afraid for their own lives”.
After being declared winner of the mayoral race on Saturday, Khan said he rejected the “politics of fear” as he promised to be a “mayor for all Londoners”.
Commenting on the election, Trump said: “I was happy to see that. I think it’s a very good thing, and I hope he does a very good job because frankly that would be very, very good.”
Trump is considered a shoo-in for the Republican presidential candidacy after the withdrawal of his only remaining rival, John Kasich last week, leaving an election battle against Democrat Hillary Clinton likely.
SM/IINA