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Donald Trump has used the London terror attack to troll the capital's mayor Sadiq Khan just hours after the violence that left seven dead.

The US President accused Mr Khan of saying the massacre gave "no reason to be alarmed" in an astonishing Twitter rant.

But his tweet stripped Mr Khan's quotes of their context, which suggested it was the increased police presence, not the attack itself, that should not alarm people.

It is latest in a string of messages by President Trump making a political point out of last night's atrocity.

First he claimed the attack justified his travel ban on several Muslim-majority nations, despite the three terrorists' nationalities not yet being known.

Then today he tweeted: "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 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!'.

"Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!"

It took just eight minutes from the first 999 call for armed police to shoot dead the three knife-wielding terrorists, who mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge with a van and went on the rampage in nearby Borough Market.

Several Twitter users pointed out the terrorists may have been armed with guns if it was easier to get hold of them in Britain.

And a spokeswoman for Mr Khan hit back: "The Mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services, and the government to coordinate 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."

(Image: REUTERS)

Mr Khan had made his original comments in an early morning interview today.

The London mayor said: "Just like terrorists are constantly evolving, finding new ways to disrupt us, harm us, attack us, the police and experts and all of us are finding new ways to keep us safe.

"Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days - no reason to be alarmed. One of the things police and all of us need to do is make sure we're as safe as we possibly can be.

"I'm reassured that we are one of the safest global cities in the world, if not the safest global city in the world.

"But we always evolve and review ways to make sure we remain as safe as we possibly can."

(Image: AFP)

The President's intervention prompted fury from sitting London MPs.

David Lammy said: "These words are deeply unpleasant and unseemly and unbecoming of any national leader.

"It is deeply offensive to the victims and first responders and the people of London to tweet such words about our elected mayor who as we speak is on the frontline, working with the police, to keep London safe at this fraught and difficult time."

And Wes Streeting lambasted the President over damaging leaks of intelligence on the Manchester attack to US media.

"Having already undermined police response to Manchester, this so-called ally makes cheap attack on London's Mayor. Cancel the state visit," he said.

Disabilities minister Penny Mordaunt highlighted how Mr Khan's words had been taken out of context, adding: "He is right to provide reassurance. I'm standing with resilient London & him."

(Image: i-Images Picture Agency)

The comments are set to reignite a long-running feud between President Trump and London's first Muslim mayor.

It began in 2015 when the furious Labour politician said Mr Trump "doesn’t have a clue about London" after he claimed areas of the capital were no-go zones.

Then in 2016 Mr Khan said Trump's "ignorant" views on religion made the world less safe.

Trump branded the mayor "ignorant" right back and even challenged him to an IQ test, saying: "He doesn't know me, hasn't met me, doesn't know what I'm on about.

"I think they're very rude statements and frankly tell him I will remember those statements. They're very nasty statements."

(Image: REUTERS)

In January this year Mr Khan demanded the President's state visit to Britain be cancelled because of his "cruel and shameful" travel ban on Muslim nations.

In March, after the Westminster attack, President Trump's son Donald Jr had his revenge.

He dug out an old article which quoted the mayor as saying terror attacks were ‘part and parcel’ of living in a major city.

Mr Khan had added: “That means being vigilant, having a police force that is in touch with communities, it means the security services being ready, but it also means exchanging ideas and best practice.”

Trump Jr tweeted the link along with a comment: “You have to be kidding me?!”

Mr Khan sniped back: "I’m not going to respond to a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. I’ve been doing more important things over the last 24 hours."