Trump's call to ban Muslims divisive, stupid: Cameron

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Dec 16 2015 | 8:02 PM IST
British Prime Minister David Cameron today termed as "divisive, stupid and wrong" Donald Trump's infamous call for total shutdown of Muslims entering the US, but rejected a plea to ban the controversial Republican presidential hopeful from entering the UK.
Instead, he said that a visit by him would "unite us all against him".
"I think his remarks are divisive, stupid and wrong and I think if he came to visit our country, he'd unite us all against him," Cameron said when asked in the House of Commons whether he supported a petition to ban Trump from entering Britain.
Over 5,60,000 people have signed a petition to ban Trump from entering the UK - where around five per cent of the population is Muslim - following his call for a total shutdown of people from the community entering America, in his most divisive remarks yet drawing widespread condemnation including from party rivals, the White House and leaders abroad.
At his weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Opposition Labour MP Tulip Siddiq urged Cameron to use anti- extremism legislation to block Trump from entering the UK.
"In our country, we have legislation that stops people entering the country. Does the Prime Ministeragree that the law should be applied equally to everyone, or should we be making exceptions for billionaire politicians?" she asked.
Cameron responded by saying he, too, was "proud of representing a country which I think has some claim to say we are one of the most successful multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-faith countries in the world" but said he disagreed with her over banning Trump.
"I agree with her that it is right that we exclude people when they are going to radicalise or encourage extremism. I happen to disagree with her about Donald Trump," he said.
Meanwhile, Trump suffered another setback in the UK when his legal challenge to a planned offshore wind farm was rejected by the UK's Supreme Court.
Developers hope to site 11 turbines off Aberdeen, close to Trump's golfing development on the Aberdeenshire coast.
The US billionaire businessman was taking on the Scottish government, which approved the plan.
The Trump Organisation said it was an "extremely unfortunate" ruling and it would "continue to fight" the wind farm proposal.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 16 2015 | 8:02 PM IST

Next Story