News / Politics

London mayor pledges to help Clinton defeat Trump

Thursday, 12 May 2016 5:18 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 12 May 2016 5:18 AM ]

File photo shows London Mayor Sadiq Khan. ©PA

London's Muslim Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged to help US Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton defeat Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee.

Khan told reporters on Wednesday that he had won against the Conservative Party’s “Donald Trump approach” to elections in London mayoral vote on May 5.

“I think what we’ve shown — and I hope it’s a lesson that Hillary and others in American take on board, hope does ‘trump’ fear, forgive the pun,” he said.

The son of a Pakistani bus driver scored a resounding victory over his billionaire Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith. Khan’s victory has made international headlines as race and religion became the central issues of the Conservative campaign.

Zac was accused of adopting “dog whistle” policy of drawing attention to Khan’s Muslim faith and trying to link him to extremist groups.

London’s first Muslim mayor said he planned to visit his New York counterpart Bill de Blasio and hold talks with mayors of Chicago and Austin to discuss housing, air quality and climate change.

A protester is seen prior to a Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump rally at the The Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center on May 7, 2016 in Lynden, Washington. ©AFP

Khan, however, said it “may be wise to go to America before January” because of the threat of Trump’s policy of banning Muslims from entry to the US.

He also ridiculed Trump’s offer to make an exception for him, saying the Republican candidate and his advisors are “ignorant” about Islam.

“The idea of making an exception for me because I’m the Mayor of London demonstrates how little they understand,” Khan added.

Trump's campaign has been marred by his disparaging remarks against minorities in the US. His comments include calling for a total ban on Muslims from coming to America and forced deportation of Mexican migrants.

Trump’s proposal has been condemned by Muslim and human rights groups as well as his Democratic rivals and many of his Republican presidential opponents who describe the proposal as divisive, counterproductive and contrary to American values.

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