The mayor of London claims he is “living rent-free” in Donald Trump’s head as he responded to the US leader’s criticism. Sir Sadiq Khan added that it is “absurd” that he has attracted so much attention from the US president.

The London Mayor told the Big Issue magazine that London is the “antithesis” of all Mr Trump believes in. He said: “It’s absurd that President Trump is obsessed with me. It’s like I’m living rent-free inside this guy’s head for 10 years now. President Trump, objectively speaking, is a nativist. He’s a protectionist and a unilateralist. He believes in mono-ethnicism. He believes in the superiority of his religion, Christianity, and of Americans.”

Sir Sadiq has regularly been the subject of criticism from Trump, with the US President often criticising his record as mayor and directing a number of personal attacks against him.

Last year, the US President labelled Khan a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job”, as he met with Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the UK.

The US President said he was “not a fan” of London’s Labour Mayor when asked if he would visit the UK’s capital city.

Speaking to reporters at his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire, Mr Trump said: “I’m not a fan of your mayor.

“I think he’s done a terrible job, the Mayor of London … a nasty person.”

The Prime Minister intervened to say: “He’s a friend of mine, actually.”

Mr Trump went on to add: “I think he’s done a terrible job. But I would certainly visit London.”

He has previously directed his ire at Khan, branding him a “stone cold loser” and challenging him to an IQ test.

Addressing the plethora of criticism sent his way across the Atlantic, Khan added: “Look at London. A city that is progressive, liberal, diverse, multicultural and the greatest city in the world. So we are the antithesis of all he believes in.

“So I can understand why he wants to spread disinformation about this dystopian version of London because Londoners have chosen this guy who’s a Muslim of Pakistani origin.”

The mayor said the president’s rhetoric is dangerous, adding: “The problem is, he’s brought into the mainstream views that should be in the periphery.”