John Cleese criticised for saying London is 'no longer an English city'

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised John Cleese after the Fawlty Towers legend said the capital was “not really an English city any more”.

The former Monty Python star tweeted: “Virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation. So there must be some truth in it...”

Skip Twitter post by @JohnCleese

Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more

Since then, virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation

So there must be some truth in it...

I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) May 29, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @JohnCleese

Mr Khan responded: These comments make John Cleese sound like he's in character as Basil Fawlty.

“Londoners know that our diversity is our greatest strength.”

He added: “We are proudly the English capital, a European city and a global hub.”

Cleese's comments come eight years after the comedian made headlines for similar remarks, saying London felt like a foreign city and that English culture was disappearing.

In his new message on Wednesday, the 79-year-old added: “I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU.”

'The Englishness of my upbringing'

He used a series of further tweets to deny that his comments were about race, saying the character of the capital had changed since he was young.

“I suspect I should apologise for my affection for the Englishness of my upbringing, but in some ways I found it calmer, more polite, more humorous, less tabloid, and less money-oriented than the one that is replacing it,” he wrote.

Cleese moved to the island of Nevis in the Caribbean last November. In July, he told BBC Newsnight he was “so disappointed with so much about this country” - particularly the press and the level of debate in the 2016 EU referendum.

There had been “dreadful lies on the right” and “scare tactics” from then-Prime Minister David Cameron and George Osborne, he said.

His comments sparked a backlash on Twitter.

Skip Twitter post by @domjoly

a man writes from Nevis

— Dom Joly (@domjoly) May 29, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @domjoly

Skip Twitter post by @JimMFelton

Hi I'm John Cleese. Today I'll be complaining there are too many immigrants in London from my home where I live in the Caribbean.

— James Felton (@JimMFelton) May 29, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @JimMFelton

But he also got support. The official Leave.EU account wrote: Bravo to British comedy legend and Brexiteer @JohnCleese for speaking up about the state of London.

“The liberal luvvies on Twitter are in meltdown over his refusal to apologise for telling the truth!”

Skip Twitter post by @2010LeeHurst

Yesterday it was Kate Hoey's turn for the Twitter hate mob.

Today it's John Cleese.

The left advertising what a wonderful world they want us to live in, one where to express an opinion they disagree with means you must suffer their abuse until you comply.

Nice crowd.

— Lee Hurst (@2010LeeHurst) May 29, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @2010LeeHurst

Cleese's spokesman said there was no further comment.

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