LONDON — Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has signalled that London's first elected Muslim mayor Sadiq Khan could be exempt from his proposed controversial ban on Muslims entering the United States.

“There will always be exceptions,” Trump told The New York Times in an interview.

“I was happy to see that,” Trump said of Khan’s election.

“I think it’s a very good thing, and I hope he does a very good job because frankly that would be very, very good.”

Khan, the son of a Pakistani immigrant bus driver and a seamstress, was sworn in as London's mayor on Saturday.

Trump said he was happy about the election result “because I think if he does a great job, it will really — you lead by example, always lead by example. If he does a good job and frankly if he does a great job, that would be a terrific thing.”

However, Khan reacted to Trump's words saying: "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."

.@SadiqKhan reacts to @realDonaldTrump's offer to make him an 'exception' to Muslim travel ban. Dignified + punchy. pic.twitter.com/hEulPR7uHt — Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) May 10, 2016

After his election, Khan criticised Trump's proposal to bar Muslims from entering the country in an interview with Time magazine

“If Donald Trump becomes the president I’ll be stopped from going there by virtue of my faith, which means I can’t engage with American mayors and swap ideas," Khan said.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.