John Cleese has intensified his criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, launching a fresh attack on social media amid the ongoing row over mass Muslim prayer events in Trafalgar Square.
The Monty Python star initially took aim at Mr Khan after the Mayor defended a large-scale iftar gathering in central London, insisting public spaces should remain open, insisting the mass event was a celebration of the capital’s diversity.
In a social media clip, Mr Khan said: “Nobody wants to dominate… British people love having diversity… and as long as I’m mayor, Trafalgar Square… will be open to everyone.”
Mr Cleese responded with a strongly worded post on X, writing: “Sorry to have to say this… The British do not like the kind of diversity that intends to take over Britain and kill any infidel who does not convert to Islam.
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John Cleese hit out at the Mayor of London
| GETTY“Is that hard to understand, silly little man?”
Fans of the comedian were quick to share their thoughts on X.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but Islam absolutely HATES diversity. Or have I completely misunderstood the Quran and all the messages and rules contained therein?" one user wrote.
Another said: "Funny how people from free and open western democracies rarely go to Third World countries to try and start a "new-life"?"
Sorry to have to say this...
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2026
The British do not like the kind of diversity that intends to take over Britain and kill any infidel that does not convert to Islam
Is that hard to understand, silly little man ? https://t.co/vtqh0Dp74k
A third added: "Sadiq Khan is not neutral on the question of the advancement of Islam."
Mr Cleese later doubled down with a second post, appearing to link concerns about division with recent threats and acts of violence.
“I’m wondering if the people who are trying to sow discord and division are in any way connected with the people threatening to kill people who disagree with them,” he wrote.
“I imagine Sadiq Khan is familiar with the Koran?”
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I'm wondering if the people who are trying to sow discard and division are in any way connected with the people threatening to kill people who disagree with them
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 24, 2026
I imagine Sadiq Khan is familiar with the Koran ? https://t.co/IyEJKPhnkj
The remarks came in response to a post criticising Mr Khan’s leadership, alongside a statement from the Mayor condemning an antisemitic arson attack in north London.
Following the incident, Mr Khan said: “An attack on our Jewish community is an attack on London. As Londoners, we will always stand together in the face of those who seek to divide us.”
The attack saw four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service set alight outside a synagogue in Golders Green in the early hours of Monday morning.
Police are investigating the incident as a suspected antisemitic hate crime, with no arrests made so far. An Iran-linked group has claimed responsibility, though this has not been officially verified.
Mr Cleese’s intervention has further fuelled an already heated debate over religion, extremism and the use of public spaces in Britain.
Some criticised the tone of his remarks, warning that they risk inflaming divisions at a sensitive time following a targeted attack on the Jewish community.
The Shadow Justice Secretary said the mass congregation was 'an act of total domination'
| XThe controversy comes amid a wider political storm sparked by comments from Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who described the Trafalgar Square iftar event as “an act of total domination”, remarks that prompted calls for an investigation but were ultimately not pursued.