London’s new mayor Sadiq Khan resigns as MP

LONDON: London’s newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan has resigned as a member of the Parliament (MP), forcing a by-election, reports China’s Xinhua news agency.

Sadiq, who has served as a Labour MP for the London constituency of Tooting for 11 years, is quitting Westminster to concentrate on his new role as the first ever Muslim mayor of London.

A Parliament spokesman said: “A by-election will take place at a later date in the constituency of Tooting.” No date has yet been announced.

Meanwhile, Sadiq has rejected an offer from Donald Trump to make the new London mayor an “exception” to a ban on Muslims travelling to the United States should he be elected as President in November’s election.

Explaining why he has rejected the “offer,” Sadiq said: “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.

Speaking in London, he described Trump’s views of Islam as ignorant, saying they “could make both our countries less safe.”

Trump said he was “happy” Sadiq had been chosen to lead London, adding: “If he does a good job and frankly if he does a great job, that would be a terrific thing.”

– BERNAMA

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