Nigel Farage has slammed London Mayor Sadiq Khan for politically correct “virtual signalling” after he “welcomed” the announcement of a visit by President Trump by urging people to use their “free speech” and protest.

The former UKIP leader mocked the “politically correct” language of Mr. Khan and suggested the anti-Trump rhetoric of UK politicians was harming the UK’s interests.

If he comes to London, President Trump will experience an open and diverse city that has always chosen unity over division and hope over fear. He will also no doubt see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear. — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 26, 2018

Mr. Trump’s “working visit” to the UK comes after successful visits to Germany and France, and despite the Speaker of the House of Commons promising to ban him from Parliament and Mr. Khan comparing the US President to terrorists and fascists.

Mr. Farage began by sarcastically quoting Mr. Khan’s tweet, adding: “Oh well done Sadiq, you could not have put out a more PC statement could you.”

He said Prime Minister Theresa May is at the “back of the queue” for a post-Brexit trade deal thanks to French President Emmanuel Macron’s warm embrace of the most powerful man in the world.

President Trump to Visit United Kingdom in July https://t.co/mZqcxC0ly9 — Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) April 26, 2018

Farage continued: “So the Donald is coming to the UK. He is coming on July 13 following a NATO summit. I am pleased this is happening.

“We are only a year behind the French in doing this although when he went there it was for a full state visit, this is to be just a working visit.

“It is unclear whether he will come to central London or not. I think he is concerned about protests, which many seem to want to have. He may go to Windsor and meet the Queen there.

“He may go to Balmoral and meet the Queen there. I would be surprised if he did not come and visit some of his golf course but in terms of public engagements it is really tough to tell.”

If only Sadiq was as good at being Mayor as he is at virtue signalling. https://t.co/UvAzngpHpx — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) April 26, 2018

Just a day after Mr. Trump confirmed the visit, Facebook event pages for protests already have more than 100,000 people listed as “interested” and “attending”.

Many online also mocked the apparent irony of Mr. Khan talking up the principle of free speech when he has done so much to criminalise the speech of citizens online and off.

Meanwhile, former Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson responded with joy at the news, tweeting:

“FANTASTIC news that President @realdonaldtrump will at last come to Britain on 13 July. Looking forward to seeing our closest ally and friend on the GREATest visit ever.”