Sir Sadiq Khan has blamed Donald Trump’s election victories for a sharp rise in death threats against him.
The London Mayor said the number of threats he has received has doubled since Trump returned to power in January.
Trump and Khan have clashed publicly for nearly a decade, with the US President previously calling the London Mayor a “disaster” and accusing him of turning the capital into a “different place.”
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Sir Sadiq said: “It’s extremely difficult for me personally, as well as for my family and friends. Death threats are never easy to deal with, especially when police protection becomes necessary.”
Sir Sadiq returned last week from a three-day visit to Singapore, where he also warned that false narratives about London were being spread by China and Russia.
He said: “We are facing a constant and unprecedented wave of lies and hate from those trying to damage London’s reputation and hurt our vital tourism industry.”
Trump has previously accused Khan of pushing Sharia law in London and allowing unchecked immigration into the city.
Khan hit back by describing Trump as “racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic.”
The feud also sparked questions for 10 Downing Street, as Keir Starmer attempts to balance ties between City Hall and the White House.
When asked whether Trump could say whatever he wanted about Britain for the sake of diplomacy, a No 10 spokesman said the US remains one of Britain’s closest partners on trade and security.
After Starmer announced his resignation, Trump described the outgoing Prime Minister as a “lovely man” but renewed criticism of his energy and immigration policies.
Trump told reporters Starmer was “really messing up energy” by blocking new North Sea oil and gas projects, while also criticising his early refusal to allow the use of Diego Garcia for strikes on Iran.
If Andy Burnham succeeds Starmer in No 10, his relationship with Trump remains uncertain, though he has already condemned what he called America’s “divided, dark politics.”
Following the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Burnham said any British politician who supported Trump “should be ashamed.”
He also recently congratulated Zohran Mamdani after his election victory, saying the two could work together on tackling the cost of living.
Sir Sadiq has urged Britain’s next Prime Minister to invest across the entire country, including London.
He added: “London is central to driving growth across the UK. We must unlock the full potential of our capital to strengthen the national economy and improve living standards for people everywhere.”
