London mayor Sadiq Khan has "more important things to do" than respond to an "ill-informed" tweet sent by US President Donald Trump after the London terror attack, his office said today.
"The Mayor is busy working... to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack," said Mr Khan's spokesman.
"He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police - including armed officers - on the streets."
Mr Trump earlier questioned Mr Khan's response to the London attack, and said it is time to "stop being politically correct" about terrorism.
However, the president's criticism of Mr Khan for suggesting Londoners should not be "alarmed" was based on a misinterpretation of some of the mayor's comments in the wake of the atrocity.
Speaking on the BBC, Mr Khan made clear that he was advising people not to be concerned by the presence of additional armed police officers on the streets of the capital in the days to come, and not playing down anxieties about the attack itself.
In a series of tweets, the president said: "We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don't get smart it will only get worse.
"At least seven dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!"'
And he took an opportunity to defend his own resistance to gun control in the US, saying: "Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!"
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Mr Trump's comments appeared to be a reaction to Mr Khan's BBC interview, in which the mayor said: "My message to Londoners and visitors to our great city is to be calm and vigilant today.
"You will see an increased police presence today, including armed officers and uniformed officers. There is no reason to be alarmed by this.
"We are the safest city in the world. You saw last night, as a consequence of our planning, our preparation and the rehearsals that took place, the swift response from the emergency services tackling the terrorists but also helping the injured."
A spokesman for Mr Khan branded the President's comment as "ill-informed" and said he had deliberately taken out of context remarks made by the mayor to reassure people.
The spokesman said: "The mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the Government to co-ordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city.
"He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police - including armed officers - on the streets."
Meanwhile, Mr Trump's son Donald Jr tweeted a link to an article from last year in which Mr Khan said that being prepared for terror attacks was "part and parcel" of living in a big city, with the comment: "You have to be kidding me!?"
Mr Trump's outspoken comments stood in stark contrast to the supportive messages from other world leaders.
Mr Trump had earlier tweeted: "Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there - WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!"
And the US State Department said America was ready to provide assistance to UK authorities.
Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: "Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a full and quick recovery to those injured in the attacks.
"All Americans stand in solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom."
