Trump Said Muslim Mayor Sadiq Khan An Exception To Ban On Muslims

London Mayor Mr Khan, the son of Pakistani immigrants, said he wanted to go to the US, but would have to visit the country before January in case Mr Trump won the November election.

US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has suggested London Mayor Sadiq Khan would be an exception to his proposed ban on Muslims entering the US.

Mr Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate, was widely criticised when he proposed the temporary ban following the attacks in Paris last year in which 130 people were killed.

Sadiq Khan said,

"If Donald Trump becomes the president I'll be stopped from going there by virtue of my faith, which means I can't engage with American mayors and swap ideas," he told Time magazine.

But Mr Trump told The New York Times "there will always be exceptions" when he was asked how his controversial proposal would apply to the newly elected Mayor of London.

Mr Trump said he was "happy" to see Mr Khan elected, adding: "You lead by example, always lead by example. If he does a good job... that would be a terrific thing."

Mr Khan said Mr Trump was playing into the hands of extremists.

"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,” he said.

“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.”