Asked why No 10 would not defend the mayor against the US president’s remarks, the spokesman said: “I do not accept that. As I have said, the prime minister has a strong relationship with the mayor of London.”
When the Downing Street spokesman was asked whether a determination to preserve the transatlantic relationship meant the US president could say whatever he wanted to about Britain, he replied: “I don’t think that’s a fair interpretation… I think as I’ve set out, the US is our closest partner on trade and security.
“You’ve seen the strengths of that relationship and the positive outcomes that has had for the British people.”
In his interview with Politico, President Trump repeated earlier attacks on Sir Sadiq, describing him as “a disaster” and claiming London was now “a different place”.
He also accused the mayor of having “a totally different ideology of what he is supposed to have”.
Sir Sadiq said he was unclear what the president meant by suggesting people who “come in” to Britain had helped elect him.
“I think it is for President Trump to explain what he means by that,” he said, adding that he had “no idea” why Trump was “so obsessed” with London’s leadership.