LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan slammed Donald Trump as “racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic” after the US president’s extraordinary claim that London was under sharia law.

And London Labour MPs called out Trump’s “sinister agenda” and rallied to Sir Sadiq’s side following the abusive attack on him at the United Nations general assembly.

The Starmer government was, however, far more muted in its response, desperate to avoid offending the leader of the far right globally.

Mr Trump has long feuded with the London mayor, and as recently as last week claimed that he had insisted that Sir Sadiq not be invited to any events during his state visit.

But he took it to a further level when he told doubtless bemused world leaders gathered in New York at the United Nations that in London “you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed.

“Now they want to go to sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that.”

Responding from a London bus, Sir Sadiq said: “I think people are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city that means I appear to be living rent-free in Donald Trump’s head.”

He then added that the president is “racist, sexist, misogynistic and he’s Islamophobic” and implied that the government should be more forthright in condemning him.

The “special relationship”, he argued, “should also mean you’ve got the confidence to call them when they’re wrong. I think President Trump is wrong in many, many ways.”

Twisting the knife, Sir Sadiq added: “I’m just thankful that we have record numbers of Americans coming to London since records began. 

“There’s never been a period when more Americans have come to London. There must be a reason for that.”

Ministers were much more circumspect and tried to make light of the latest outrage from a president that Sir Keir had spent months fawning over and placating.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden called the remarks a “misreading of our great capital.” 

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I’m here at Selhurst Park in south London where we don’t have sharia law, we have British law.

“It’s a great capital city that we have. I think it’s a great asset to the UK. And I’m afraid I differ from the president on that.”

But Commons foreign affairs committee chairwoman Emily Thornberry slammed Mr Trump’s remarks on social media: “I’ve known Sadiq Khan for over 30 years. He’s a feminist, a socialist and an LGBTQ+ ally.

“I’m so proud he’s our London mayor. For the record, he’s as interested in introducing sharia law to London as I am — that is, zero per cent. Those who suggest otherwise are deluded, or have a very sinister agenda.”

Fellow London Labour MPs also rallied to the mayor’s defence. Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan demanded that the government summon the US ambassador to challenge him over “Trump’s rampant Islamophobia.” 

“Trump continually spreads lies. In London, we celebrate our diversity and reject racists and bigots. London is the greatest city in the world in huge part due to” Sir Sadiq’s leadership, she commented.

Brent East MP Dawn Butler said “Trump has just told an incredible lie to the UN about our great country and our great mayor. Now is the time to stick up for your country. 

“Don’t let Trump lie about us in this way.” 

Ealing Central’s Rupa Huq simply described the speech as “blatant barefaced lies as any fact-check or reality check will attest.”

By contrast, Nigel Farage — who also backed the US president over his scare-mongering about pregnant women using paracetamol and alleged that foreigners were eating swans stolen from royal parks — backed Mr Trump’s lies.

“Trump has a point,” he claimed, but then even he felt the need to qualify this endorsement.

“Never take what he says literally, ever on anything. But always take everything he says seriously,” he said.

“So is he right to say that sharia is an issue in London? Yes. Is it an overwhelming issue at this stage? No. Has the mayor of London directly linked himself to it? No.”