London Mayor Sadiq Khan SNUBBED from President Donald Trump’s state banquet at Buckingham Palace next month
LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has been snubbed from Donald Trump’s state banquet when the US president visits Britain next month.
In a serious break from precedent, the Labour politician has not been invited to the white-tie feast hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
His predecessor Boris Johnson was in attendance at the state banquet laid on for then-President Barack Obama in 2011.
But Mr Khan – who has had a personal feud with Trump since before either of them took office – says that he would have chosen not to go anyway even if he was offered an invitation.
It mirrors the stance taken by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – who is also boycotting the dinner.
The snub was confirmed as the Mayor blasted President Trump for not being “in the same class” as President George W Bush and Obama – the only two other US leaders to be lavished with a UK state visit.
History tells us only two presidents have had a state visit. I think President Trump is certainly not in the same class as those two
Sadiq Khan
Speaking on LBC radio on Friday, Mr Khan said: “History tells us only two presidents have had a state visit.
“I think President Trump is certainly not in the same class as those two.”
Mr Khan, 48, also slammed President Trump for his treatment of women – saying his conduct has given a “green light” to sex pests.
He also confirmed on air that he would not attend a state banquet laid on for the president.
It came after a spokesman for the Mayor’s Office confirmed to Newsweek last week that Mr Khan would not be invited.
SERIES OF ROWS
The snub prompted the latest in a long-running war of words between the two men.
Their rivalry began in 2015 when Mr Trump – then running to be the Republican nominee – called for Muslims to be banned from entering the US.
Trump also claimed that parts of London were “so radicalised the police are afraid for their lives”.
Mr Khan – who a year later became Mayor of London – said Mr Trump’s comments were “divisive and dangerous”.
He added that the then-candidate “doesn’t have a clue about London”.
President Trump later reopened the row by slamming the Mayor’s response to the 2017 London Bridge terror attack which killed seven people.
BABY BALLOON
Last year, Mr Khan controversially approved the flying of a giant balloon depicting President Trump as a nappy-wearing baby in London’s parliament square.
The balloon was flown to coincide with a three-day working visit Mr Trump was making in the UK.
Protesters have promised a return of the balloon for this year’s more formal state visit – due to take place from June 3-5.
Mr Corbyn has already vowed to steer clear of President Trump.
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He said last month that “maintaining an important relationship with the United States does not require the pomp and ceremony of a state visit”.
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable also said he would not attend a state banquet – saying the invitation to Mr Trump was “inappropriate”.
As well as the banquet, President Trump is due to take part in commemorations in Portsmouth marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
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