Sadiq Khan says Londoners 'fearful' over Trump's US election win

Sadiq Khan insisted Londoners will be 'fearful' about the Donald Trump's stunning US election win today.

The mayor risked stoking his long-running feud with the Republican president-elect as the historic results poured in from states. 

Mr Khan and Mr Trump clashed as recently as May when he slammed the American politician's jibe that London was 'unrecognisable' because the city had 'opened its doors to jihad'.

As he celebrated winning a third term as mayor earlier this year, Mr Khan said Londoners had 'slammed the door shut' on Mr Trump's 'hard-right populism'. 

Mr Khan voiced concerns over the summer that a Trump victory would spark a surge in hate towards himself and his family.

He has urged Keir Starmer to take a more openly critical approach to his foe over issues such as women's rights, saying Labour 'shouldn't pretend' they were not supporting Kamala Harris.

In a statement released this morning, Mr Khan pointedly did not offer any congratulations, saying: 'I know that many Londoners will be anxious about the outcome of the US Presidential election. 

'Many will be fearful about what it will mean for democracy and for women's rights, or how the result impacts the situation in the Middle East or the fate of Ukraine. Others will be worried about the future of NATO or tackling the climate crisis.

'London is - and will always be - for everyone. We will always be pro-women, pro-diversity, pro-climate and pro-human rights.

'London is a place where we're proud of our diversity, proud of the contribution of all our communities and proud of our spirit of unity. These are some of the values that will continue to bind us together as Londoners.'

'The lesson of today is that progress is not inevitable. 

'But asserting our progressive values is more important than ever - re-committing to building a world where racism and hatred is rejected, the fundamental rights of women and girls are upheld, and where we continue to tackle the crisis of climate change head on.'

In an interview with the New Statesman in August, Mr Khan voiced support for Mr Trump's rival Kamala Harris.

He praised the Democrat nominee's pick of running mate Tim Walz, as he compared it to Mr Trump's choice of JD Vance as his vice-presidential hopeful.

Mr Khan also urged his Labour colleagues not to be shy in publicly voicing their support for Ms Harris and the Democrats during the campaign.

'It's obvious what my politics are. I'm a member of the Labour Party – we're a social democratic party. I want the Democrats to win,' he said.

He added: 'It's no secret many Labour Party members go and volunteer for the Democrats during presidential elections.

'We shouldn't pretend otherwise. Many of my staffers helped all three: [Barack] Obama, [Hillary] Clinton and [Joe] Biden.'

Mr Khan's stance contrasts with that of Sir Keir Starmer, who since becoming PM has vowed to work with whoever is in the White House over the coming years.

Sir Keir last month spoke with Mr Trump in the wake of the assassination attempt on the ex-president.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, recently said he could find 'common ground' with Mr Vance as he sought to temper his past remarks about Mr Trump - who he once called a 'woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath'.

But Mr Khan did not moderate his stance towards Mr Trump when considering a possible return to the White House for the former president.

'The last time we had a Trump presidency, as a matter of public record, there was a massive increase in hate crime towards me,' he said.

'I worry about what a second Trump presidency would mean for me and my family, but I'm not going to allow these people to cower me.

'It makes me even more determined to do my job.'