Sadiq Khan has U-turned on a major decision to call on the Government to ban Donald Trump's UK state visit in 2019 - now saying that he would "absolutely" welcome the US President to London.
He explained that he was keen to have the Potus visit "so he can see some of the misunderstandings he has of our city" including his views on freedom of speech in London, as well as tolerance and respect between different faiths.
At the same time, the London Mayor has defended his historic attacks on the President and said that his work protecting the city "does mean sometimes saying boo to a goose".
Khan has previously lambasted Donald Trump with a series of colourful criticisms - calling him "ignorant" on Islam, "sexist", "racist" and a "homophobe".
Khan has not held back on his previous criticism of the President
PA
He even went so far as to compare his methods in government to those of the "fascists of the 20th century".
Admitting that "President Trump has fairly and squarely won a second term", he added: "Let's judge President Trump on what he does to his second term rather than what he did in his first term.
"My job as the mayor of this great city is to stand up for our values, stand up for our businesses, stand up for our people. And that does mean sometimes saying boo to a goose," he told Sky News.
Khan is set to host talks this morning with ambassadors of all 27 European Union member states in the nation's capital.
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On another future Trump state visit, the Mayor commented: "I'd like President Trump to come to London so he can see some of the misunderstandings he has of our city.
"So he can see there is no threat to freedom of speech in this great city of ours. So he can see that actually Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs don't just tolerate each other, we respect, celebrate and embrace each other," he told Sky News.
He added that the President would see that "diversity is a strength" rather than a weakness and that "many people in this great city of ours and country of ours love America".
In a thinly veiled attack, he said that London has loved American politics "in the past".
In a thinly veiled attack, Khan said that London has loved American politics "in the past"
REUTERS
Khan has also been a keen critic of Vice President JD Vance when he announced that free speech was in retreat across Europe - including the UK.
"We had a situation a couple of days ago where it was said in words to the effect that the biggest threat facing our country and our continent is a lack of freedom of speech," Khan said.
"Woe betide me being criticised for exercising my freedom of speech. Contrary to what JD Vance might think, we have freedom of speech in this country."
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Donald Trump next week in Washington DC.
