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David Cameron has been accused of "dog whistle politics" after launching a blistering attack on Sadiq Khan .

The PM smeared the Tooting MP, who is bidding to be London's first Muslim mayor, for sharing a platform nine times with "Islamic State supporting" Sulaiman Ghani.

But Labour MPs hit back, shouting "racist", "shame" and "disgraceful" as the Tory leader made his attack in the House of Commons.

Mr Ghani accused David Cameron of "defamation at its highest level".

And Mr Khan issued a furious response saying: "The Tories are running a nasty, dog-whistling campaign that is designed to divide London’s communities.

"I’m disappointed that the Prime Minister has today joined in."

(Image: Dan Kitwood)

Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith had already been accused of a "racist scream" after focusing on people Khan met in his previous job as a civil liberties lawyer.

The plan backfired when it emerged Mr Goldsmith had also met South London imam Mr Ghani - and even been photographed alongside him.

Mr Cameron made the comments at Prime Minister's Questions after a comment from Tory MP Chris Pincher.

He began: “I have to say I am concerned about Labour’s candidate for mayor of London who has appeared again and again and again...”

He was shouted down, but continued: “The leader of the Labour party is saying it’s disgraceful. Let me tell him.

“Sulaiman Ghani - the honourable member for Tooting has appeared on a platform with him 9 times. This man supports IS.

“I think they are shouting down this point because they don’t want to hear the truth.

“Anyone can make a mistake about who they appear on a platform with.

“But if you do it time after time after time, it is right to question your judgement.”

It prompted a furious reply on Twitter from Mr Ghani, who complained he could not sue the PM because the remarks were made under Parliamentary privilege.

He wrote: "PM David Cameron accused me of being an extremist and that I support IS! He did so during PMQT in the commons and therefore cannot be sued.

"I hope the Prime Minister will reflect and retract his comments. This is defamation at its highest level."

Read more:David Cameron made a terrible McDonald's joke in PMQs

Labour MP Wayne David wrote: “Disgraceful attack on @SadiqKhan . Clear that Cameron will do & say anything to try to stop Lab’s candidate becoming Mayor of London.”

Andy Slaughter added: “Cameron sinks into the gutter in a desperate bid to prop up his failing candidate. Demeans his office. Shame on him.”

Jamie Reed said it was "desperate stuff", adding: "Meanwhile, should ask why they are running the worst political campaign ever seen."

London mayoral candidate Mr Khan added in a statement: "As Mayor, I will be the British Muslim who takes the fight to the extremists.

"I will keep focusing on keeping Londoners safe, and my positive vision for London’s future – most importantly fixing the Tory housing crisis."

A senior Downing Street aide defended David Cameron after the clash.

He said: "The Prime Minister makes absolutely no apology for raising very serious questions about the people that Sadiq Khan has chosen to share a platform with.

"The PM mentioned Sulaiman Ghani. This is somebody who on the night of the Paris terror attacks was making a speech in Bradford where he called for the establishment of an Islamic state.

"This is somebody who has described women as subservient.

"Sadiq Khan hasn't shared a platform with him once or twice - he shared a platform with him nine times.

"So the PM is calling into question the judgement of Sadiq Khan in sharing platforms with extremists and there are other cases as well."

Asked if the Prime Minister was racist, the Number 10 aide said: "It's complete nonsense.

"To try and stop people raising questions about the judgement of Sadiq Khan sharing a platform not on one or two occasions but on nine occasions with someone with those kind of extreme views is a perfectly legitimate thing to do.

"To try and brand that racist I think does a disservice to the Labour Party. "

Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman said: "I think it demeans the office of the Prime Minister to repeat some of those allegations. Sadiq has been very strong on issues around terrorism."