Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, responded to criticism by President Donald Trump, stressing through a spokesman that he has more important things to do than to respond to what the American politician thinks.
Through members of his team, Khan made it clear his focus was on the people of London, in the wake of a deadly terror attack in the London Bridge area late Saturday night.
“He has more important things to do," said a spokesperson for Mr. Khan, "than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police—including armed officers—on the streets.”
Trump, whose first response to the deadly attack in London was to reference his highly-controversial travel ban, appeared to take aim at Khan with a tweet he sent out about London on Sunday morning.
The tweet was referencing something Khan said following the attack, when he stressed Londoners would see an increased police presence in an interview with BBC.
“Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days,” he said. “No reason to be alarmed. One of the things, the police, all of us need to do, is make sure we’re as safe as we possibly can be."
Khan and Trump have clashed frequently in the last year or so, with most of their disputes centering around Trump's proposed Muslim ban. Trump told the New York Times that exceptions could be made to allow the Muslim mayor to travel to America, and Khan has fired back by calling Trump's views on Islam small-minded.
"It's not about me," said Khan. "It's about my friends, family, and others from all around the world."
At least seven people have been pronounced dead as a result of Saturday's terror attack in London, in addition to three attackers who have been killed by police. As of Sunday morning, 12 people have been arrested in east London in connection to the London attacks.
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