David Yelland – who edited The Sun between 1998 and 2003 – has gone in
The Sun’s fawning praise for Donald Trump and uncritical publication of his claims about Sadiq Khan and Brexit have made a former editor of the paper break ranks.
David Yelland edited the redtop between 1998 and 2003, taking it through one of its most liberal periods. He was the man behind the Tony Blair front page that asked: “Is this the most dangerous man in Britain?”
Today The Sun ran a “world exclusive” interview with Trump where he claimed the US trade deal was off and ranted about how Britain is “losing its culture” due to immigration.
Responding on Twitter, Yelland wrote: “Trump takes a wrecking ball to British Sovereignty and is cheered to the rafters by The Sun. Sad day.”
“The man is a racist, sexist, cruel, awful, ignorant narcissist. I’m with the protestors.”
Trump takes a wrecking ball to British Sovereignty and is cheered to the rafters by The Sun. Sad day. The man is a racist, sexist, cruel, awful, ignorant narcissist. I’m with the protestors. pic.twitter.com/gE0rWnehNB
— David Yelland (@davidyelland) July 12, 2018
In another message to The Sun’s political editor, he warned: “In a global world we are inter-linked and interdependent so all is negotiated with friends and allies.
“This is why hard Brexit is not possible and is suicidal madness.”
Yelland also defended London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has become a target for abuse by the far-right in Britain and the US.
“Trump’s attack on [Sadiq Khan] is racism. He has picked him out. It is important we call this dreadful bigot of a President out,” Yelland tweeted.
Trump’s attack on @SadiqKhan is racism. He has picked him out. It is important we call this dreadful bigot of a President out.
— David Yelland (@davidyelland) July 13, 2018
Attacking London’s Mayor Trump told The Sun: “Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London. I think he has done a very bad job on terrorism.”
“I think he has done a bad job on crime, if you look, all of the horrible things going on there, with all of the crime that is being brought in.”
As well as using his interview with the Rupert Murdoch owned Sun to attack Khan, Donald Trump also used the interview to lay into Theresa May’s plans for Brexit and hail Boris Johnson as a future prime minister. “I am just saying I think he would be a great prime minister. I think he’s got what it takes,” he said.
