London mayor Sadiq Khan berates 'ignorant' Trump over Muslim travel ban

Newly elected London mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised Donald Trump after the presumptive Republican nominee said Khan would be an exception to his proposed ban on Muslims entering the US.

Trump commented that he hoped Khan would do a good job and lead by example, adding there "would always be exceptions" to the Muslim ban. Khan described the GOP candidate as "ignorant".

Khan told AP: "This isn't just about me – it's about my friends, my family and everyone who comes from a background similar to mine, anywhere in the world. Donald Trump's ignorant view of Islam could make both our countries less safe – it risks alienating mainstream Muslims around the world and plays into the hands of the extremists. Donald Trump and those around him think that Western liberal values are incompatible with mainstream Islam - London has proved him wrong."

Trump famously pledged "a total and complete shutdown" on Muslims entering the US if he is elected because of the "dangerous threat" they posed. He backtracked in a 9 May interview with New York Times, saying of London's new mayor "there will always be exceptions."

Trump told the paper he had been "happy" to see Khan win the mayoral election, adding: "I think it's a very good thing, and I hope he does a very good job because frankly that would be very, very good."

"Because I think if he does a great job, it will really — you lead by example, always lead by example. If he does a good job and frankly if he does a great job, that would be a terrific thing."