Labour scrambles to slap down Sadiq Khan for ‘fascism’ blast hours before Trump’s inauguration
DOWNING Street today slapped down Sadiq Khan for implying Donald Trump was a “fascist” on the eve of his inauguration.
Allies of Sir Keir Starmer scrambled to contain a fresh row with the incoming US President sparked by the Labour London Mayor.
The PM’s relationship with the MAGA administration is already shaky following a high-profile spat with Elon Musk and a number of insults previously made by several of his Cabinet.
Mr Khan risked inflaming tensions today by suggesting Mr Trump is part of “resurgent fascism haunting the West”.
He said: “The hard-right and far-right are on the march. These are deeply worrying times, especially if you’re a member of a minority community.”
Asked about the swipe on the BBC this morning, Cabinet Minister Darren Jones said: “I don’t agree with it. I speak on behalf of the government, and we don’t agree with it.”
The Treasury Chief Secretary added: “President-elect Trump won an enormous election victory in the United States.
As a democracy, we support democracy and the American people elected Donald Trump and the Republican party.”
The Tories slammed Mr Khan for jeopardising Britain’s relationship with our strongest ally.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “It’s really not for politicians in other countries to start making disrespectful and disparaging comments about President-elect Trump.”
“I’d urge Keir Starmer’s Government to step up to the plate right now.
“Start good, strong, solid negotiations into interactions with the Trump government, rather than making disparaging remarks, as we’ve just heard from Sadiq Khan and previous remarks that have been made by Labour ministers.”
Labour’s Mr Jones also dismissed reports that Sir Keir’s pick for US Ambassador – Lord Peter Mandelson – could be vetoed for the job.
The PM has attempted to build bridges with Trump, including meeting him for dinner in New York in the autumn.
He has also been at pains to congratulate the MAGA strongman on his election victory, in hopes Britain will be spared tariffs by the US.