Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss has ignited international discussion after publicly supporting President Donald Trump’s controversial statements about so-called “pockets of Britain where Sharia law is being practiced.” In an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital, Truss argued that Trump was justified in raising concerns about cultural and political changes occurring in parts of the United Kingdom, despite immediate backlash from current British leaders. Her comments add to a growing debate over immigration, extremism, and national identity within the U.K. a debate she says is long overdue.
Published December 11, 2025 6:00am EST
By Deirdre Heavey | Fox News
Facebook | Twitter | Flipboard | Comments | Print | Email
Add Fox News on Google
Truss Says Trump Was Right to Call Attention to Sharia ‘Pockets’
The conversation surrounding Trump’s UN address resurfaced months after his speech before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September. During that address, Trump sharply criticized the political direction of London, calling Mayor Sadiq Khan a “terrible mayor” and suggesting that the city had changed so dramatically that “they want to go to Sharia law.”
Many British leaders rejected Trump’s characterization immediately including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mayor Khan. But Truss, speaking to Fox News Digital, took the opposite stance.
“London doesn’t want Sharia law, but the fact is, there are pockets of London and pockets of Britain where Sharia law is being practiced, and President Trump is right to call it out,” Truss said.
Her comments echoed concerns she has raised repeatedly about mass migration, extremist ideology, and what she views as Britain’s shifting cultural identity.
Reactions From London: Khan Says Trump Is ‘Obsessed’
The London mayor’s office responded to inquiries by directing Fox News to Khan’s earlier remarks to Politico. Khan told the outlet that Trump is “obsessed” with him and argued that Americans are “flocking” to London because of its liberal values and global outlook. According to Khan, those values represent the “antithesis” of Trump’s worldview.
Despite acknowledging that London does not desire Sharia law, Truss emphasized that certain ideologies have been allowed to take root in parts of the country due to political negligence.
“It’s appalling,” Truss added. “It’s completely out of line with our ancient British liberties, whether it’s about freedom of association, freedom of speech, property rights, and the problem is the left of British politics have appeased this, and they’ve allowed these things to go on in our country. I think that’s completely wrong.”
A Closer Look: What Is Sharia Law?
Sharia refers to the religious and moral code of Islam, shaping personal duties like prayer and fasting, as well as broader ethical, social, and legal principles. While the U.K. does not recognize Sharia law as state law, informal Sharia councils and arbitration panels operate within some Muslim communities. Critics argue that these councils undermine British law and women’s rights, while supporters say they provide culturally sensitive mediation.
According to the British Census Report Summary 2025, the U.K. is now home to 4 million Muslims, representing about 6% of the national population. That figure has more than doubled since 2001. Supporters of multiculturalism see this demographic shift as a strength, while critics Truss among them argue that rapid change without integration has contributed to rising tensions.
Truss Raises Alarm About Extremism and Migration
Truss did not limit her criticism to cultural issues. She also addressed terrorism, immigration, and crime, stating that the U.K. has “imported jihadis,” a phrase that has already sparked heated debate.
“We have been, frankly, importing jihadis, and that is dangerous,” she said. “We have had a number of terror attacks. We also have very serious issues with crime, and people are frustrated that they’re paying for the housing and accommodation of illegal immigrants, and meanwhile, their lives aren’t getting any better. There’s an economic decline in Britain.”
These concerns align with recent data. Counter Terrorism Policing reported that terrorism-related arrests reached a five-year high in 2024, and the 2024 Annual Threat Report found that Islamist extremism remains the dominant terror threat facing the U.K.
At the same time, Truss criticized the legacy of the Human Rights Act 1998, introduced by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, arguing that the law enables foreign nationals including those accused of crimes to avoid deportation. The act incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into U.K. law, guaranteeing basic legal protections for everyone in the country.
Truss’s Political Return: Media Projects and Pro-Growth Advocacy
Liz Truss served just 49 tumultuous days as prime minister in 2022 before resigning following market turmoil surrounding her pro-growth economic agenda. After stepping away from frontline politics, she returned in 2025 with new projects designed to rebuild her political influence.
Truss has launched The Leconfield, a private networking club for pro-growth leaders, and “The Liz Truss Show” on YouTube, where she discusses global politics, economics, free speech, and national security.
In her interview, Truss said she plans to explore how the U.K. can replicate what she calls the “Trump revolution.”
“One of the things my show is going to be talking about is how do we do that? How do we achieve a Trump revolution in Britain? How do we deal with mass migration? How do we deal with the free speech crisis?” she said.
Truss claims that Britain is now facing a “free speech crisis,” pointing to cases where individuals have been arrested for online posts.
Citing data from The Times, she noted that U.K. police made roughly 12,000 arrests in 2023 around 30 per day for “offensive” online communications.
Truss argues that Americans would be “shocked” to see how speech is policed in the U.K., adding that these concerns will form a central theme of her upcoming programs.
Ongoing Conversations and International Implications
The debate sparked by Trump’s comments and Truss’s defense of them highlights broader tensions in Western democracies about identity, integration, extremism, and free speech. These questions continue to fuel political divisions in Britain, shaping debates about national security, civil liberties, and the future of multiculturalism.