London Mayor Sadiq Khan revealed that he has been targeted with racist and Islamophobic attacks by senior Conservative leaders, allegedly with the support of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Khan, who is a Muslim of Pakistani origin, expressed concern over false claims made against him and British Muslims by prominent Tories, including Suella Braverman, Lee Anderson, and Liz Truss.
Anderson, the former Tory deputy chairman, suggested that Khan was being controlled by “Islamists,” while Braverman claimed that Britain was being run by “Islamists.” Khan denounced these allegations as lies and slurs against Muslims, emphasizing that such accusations wouldn’t have been made if he were not of Pakistani and Muslim descent.
The London mayor criticized the Conservative party for amplifying conspiracy theories about him being influenced by Islamists. He refuted claims of an “Islamification of London” and emphasized the positive integration of Muslims into society through education, work, and tax contributions.
Khan urged Prime Minister Sunak to condemn the remarks as racist and Islamophobic, but Sunak has refused to do so. The mayor expressed disappointment, pointing out that anti-Semitism and misogyny are promptly condemned, yet Islamophobia often goes unaddressed.
Highlighting the mainstream nature of the attacks, Khan noted that Truss, Braverman, and Anderson are not fringe elements but prominent politicians within the Conservative party. He criticized Truss for supporting Tommy Robinson, known for racist actions, and called on the government to acknowledge and denounce the Islamophobic comments made by its leaders.
Concerned about a repeat of the alleged Islamophobic campaign against him in 2016, Khan speculated that the Conservative party might be using such tactics to influence the upcoming May Local Council Elections and the general election next year. He urged Muslims to participate in politics and emphasized the importance of organizing a register and voting in the face of attacks intended to discourage political involvement.
Despite being 25 points ahead of his Conservative rival in the latest YouGov poll, Khan stressed the need for maximum voter turnout. He mentioned the positive impact on crime rates during his two terms as London mayor but emphasized the need for continued efforts. Khan expressed confidence in delivering more for London with a Labour Prime Minister in the center and a Labour London Mayor.
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