Why arrest him?

Sadiq Khan, as you all remember was elected as London mayor.

Recent news is that Donald Trump has tried to arrest Sadiq.

The news can be wrong, it may be overblown, libellous any number of things.

Though as he is a Muslim mayor and Trump has heavily questioned the man largely based around his faith alone and not his ability to run London.

I am led to ask, why on earth is a foreign leader seeking to arrest a legally elected man with a mandate to govern the whole of London.

It was not a rigged election, he did win the majority and what is more he stood alongside the many Londoners who stood in silent vigil after terrorist attacks.

I do seem to remember Donald Trump saying he didn’t like terrorism at one point and Sadiq has shown clearly that he doesn’t like terrorism.

Perspective

Many of you will already know about the terrorist attack on La Rambla in Barcelona, the youngest of the victims was reported to be just eight.

Barcelona is a truly beautiful place with a welcoming spirit and a creative culture.

Why anyone would want to attack it indiscriminately is beyond me.

Strange contrast

Yet within days of this lectures are reaching me about increasing regulation of online bullying.

While I do not agree with all the online abuse that has become a larger and larger feature of our everyday reality.

I am cautious of an over reaction.

The suggestion was that online abuse would lead to a Charlottesville situation.

Scars

I realize mental abuse builds up in a person and can too be truly damaging. 

Only, you can turn a computer off, you can ignore the comments, you can delete the e-mails.

I would rather focus still be focused on more traditional bullying, which leaves faces bruised and families missing a loved one.

A sombre day in Trafalgar Square

I decided to join the vigil in Trafalgar Square this evening, to commemorate three deaths at the hands of a violent extremist.

Around a thousand were in attendance at the short vigil in the square.

Amber Rudd and Sadiq Khan were among those of a selection of elected representatives, police officers and those of different faiths and ethnicities at the event.

The mood was sombre and quiet as the speakers painted a picture of London as brave and united in the face of terror.

I hope this peaceful unity against horrific events represents more than just those standing in the square, but many, many hard working and quietly heroic Londoners who have in total been a reason for joy in my life.

I hope coming days bring more joy to those people than they do pain, as truly many of the kind acts and courtesies I see replayed every day deserve to be rewarded.

To Paris with love

The attack on Charlie Hebdo had me crying and shaken.

The strength of those challenging the attack with ink is admirable.

Please also look at the condemnation coming from the Arab world.

Though as reports reach me that the magazine is to go to press with a cartoon of the prophet, my first reaction is hold fire mes amies.

Satire is a tool against the strong by the weak.

Remember the Muslims in your country that have served you in this moment and let it breathe.

Osama Bin Laden was looking to ignite a war when he attacked the twin towers.

I suspect this attack is also calculated to provoke hate.

Let love and enlightenment win, not over simplification.