Nigel Farage accuses Sadiq Khan of hypocrisy over Donald Trump’s travel ban after he invites ambassadors from 11 countries which put immigration bars on Israelis to City Hall
NIGEL Farage has accused Sadiq Khan of being a hypocrite over his opposition to Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban after he invited ambassadors who bar Israelis to a City Hall meeting.
The London Mayor hosted ambassadors from more than 100 countries last night - including five of the seven that were covered by the US President's ban.
He said Mr Trump's new policy which stopped the travel of some nations to the US was "unacceptable" and that the UK had a "responsibility to show moral leadership".
Mr Khan asked for the leaders to join him in "speaking our against this ban" and urged them to condemn it for being "discriminatory, self-defeating and completely un-American".
He also repeated calls for the Government to revoke the offer to Mr Trump for an official state visit later this year. MPs will debate the issue next month after a petition secured more than 1.6 million signatures - and one opposing also gained over 100,000 responses.
But Mr Farage, the former Ukip leader, called him out on Twitter for being a "hypocrite" for hosting the ambassadors.
He said: "Why are there 11 diplomats from nations that ban Jewish Israelis at your meeting tonight?
"Why don't you oppose them? Hypocrite."
Mr Khan told ambassadors last night: "As an international community, I believe we have a responsibility to show moral leadership and so my ask of you tonight is this...
"Join me in speaking out against this ban and condemning it for what it really is – discriminatory, self-defeating and completely un-American.”
Representatives from Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan and Yemen were present at the event - countries which do not allow entry to Israelis.
Mr Khan said before the meeting he did not agree with any immigration bans which were based on religion or nationality.
A spokesperson for the Mayor said today: "The Mayor believes that any travel ban based on nationality or religion is shameful and cruel. He used last night's reception to call for greater global values of tolerance, diversity and freedom."
Yesterday Mr Farage appeared on Loose Women to defend President Trump's ban.
Farage told ITV: “I can’t see why it’s controversial to protect our borders… and stop terrorists getting into Britain.”
He said that proper vetting techniques were what “everyone thinks” should happen in the UK too.
He also called out angry protesters for their “double standards” by not opposing a similar policy from President Obama in 2011 which halted refugees from entering the US.