Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who Donald Trump singled out for criticism during his first term in office, also described Elon Musk, the X owner, as a ‘billionaire bully’
A Cabinet minister has distanced the government from Sadiq Khan’s remarks about fascism on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President.
The Mayor of London, who Mr Trump singled out for criticism during his first term in office, used an article to warn the “spectre of resurgent fascism haunts the west”.
He pointed to the march of right-wing political parties in Europe and Mr Trump’s re-entering the White House, saying: “These are deeply worrying times, especially if you’re a member of a minority community.”
Sir Sadiq added: “As historians and commentators increasingly find echoes of the 1920s and 30s in the present day, we cannot afford to throw in the towel. We must make a renewed and concerted effort to confront these forces and expose them for what they are: opportunists who seek to divide people for personal and political gain.
“Not to mention their financial backers who selfishly choose to put the profits of their companies over the interests of our democracies.”
He also described Elon Musk, the X owner, as a “billionaire bully” using his tech platform as a “propaganda tool to amplify lies and advance the cause of the far-right”.
But on Sunday, Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, who stressed he was speaking on behalf of the Labour government, said the Labour Mayor was “wrong”.
He said: “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. We respect that mandate.”
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Jones added: “I don’t agree with it. I speak on behalf of the government and we don’t agree with it. President-elect Trump has an important mandate in the US and we look forward to working with him in the interest of both of our economies.”
Mr Jones also insisted he was confident the president-elect won’t block Keir Starmer’s pick for US ambassador, Peter Mandeslon. The Mirror reported last year those advising the president-elect urged him to refuse Lord Mandelson’s credentials, because of his former role as an EU Commissioner.
BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here – Lizzy Buchan, Jason Beattie, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke, Ashley Cowburn, Mikey Smith
POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror’s Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
But Mr Jones said the New Labour-era Cabinet minister would “form a very strong partnership with the new administration”.
Pressed on whether he was “confident” that Mr Trump’s incoming administration will accept the nomination, Mr Jones said: “Yeah. For the first time in, I think, maybe 50 years, this is the first time that a British Prime Minister has picked a politician to be the ambassador in DC.”
The government will be represented at the ceremony by Dame Karen Pierce – the outgoing UK ambassador to the US – who was in post during the first Trump presidency.
Other UK politicians, including ex-PM Liz Truss, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and Reform UK leader will also be attending the ceremony in Washington DC. Ms Truss, who was turfed out of No10 after just 49 days in office, and Ms Braverman were both spotted wearing MAGA – Make America Great Again – caps.
