The Mayor of London has hit back at John Cleese’s claim the capital “is not really an English city anymore”.
Sadiq Khan rubbished the comments made in a tweet on Wednesday morning, saying “Londoners know that our diversity is our greatest strength”.
He said Cleese “sound[s] like he’s in character as Basil Fawlty” and added: “We are proudly the English capital, a European city and a global hub.”
Cleese sparked a furious backlash on social media earlier in the day for suggesting the number of immigrants in London meant it was no longer English, despite the fact he moved abroad last year.
The Monty Python star said in a tweet that his observation about the capital had been confirmed by “virtually all my friends from abroad”.
Cleese, a vocal supporter of Brexit, announced last year that he was quitting Britain because he is “so disappointed” with the country, saying his “particular beef” is with the British newspapers.
He revealed he was heading to the “gorgeous” island of Nevis in the Caribbean, an irony pointed out by many on social media.
Author Caitlin Moran, wrote: “I hope there’s an old Nevisian comedian ready to moan about how Charlestown won’t ‘really be a Nevisian town any more’.
“Goddamn immigrants.”
In a string of tweets posted later on Wednesday, Cleese sought to counter claims made by critics.
He denied his comments about London being “not an English city” had a racial element.
Cleese replied to one Twitter user who asked if his claims were about race: “No. Why do you try to discredit me for criticising things I have not said Keep your projections to yourself.”
He added to another: “If you would like to ask the many foreign friends who have made this observation me, I can put you in touch with them.”
Cleese is no stranger to strong opinions, having described Trump supporters in 2017 the “stupidest people” he has ever met.
And last year he was branded “embarrassingly ghastly” after using a homophobic slur during an interview on Radio 4.
The actor appeared on the Today programme on Tuesday when he used the antiquated term “poof” to describe his former Monty Python co-star Graham Chapham.