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Mayors

King Knits Sadiq Khan Despite Public Protests Over Crime Rates

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sir Sadiq Khan was knighted by the King at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, despite more than 220,000 people signing a petition against the award. The petition, created by Conservative councillor Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, accused the Mayor of London of failing to uphold his duty to the city and its inhabitants due to rising crime rates, rent costs, and public transport prices. The knighthood comes days after Londoners were forced to clean up graffiti on the Underground themselves, as Transport for London, of which Sir Sadiq is chairman, failed to remove it.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sir Sadiq Khan received a knighthood from the King at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, despite a 220,000-strong petition against the award.
  • The petition accused the Mayor of London of failing to address rising crime rates, rent costs, and public transport prices during his time in office.
  • Sir Sadiq Khan's knighthood was announced in January as part of the New Year's Honours.
  • The ceremony marked a "great day" for Sir Sadiq's family, who were present, including his emotional mother.
  • Sir Sadiq, the first Mayor of London to be knighted, said his knighthood proved one could "achieve anything" with "a helping hand".
  • Since Sir Sadiq succeeded Boris Johnson in 2016, knife crime has increased by more than 50 per cent, and violent crime has soared despite a 71 per cent increase in the portion of council tax paid to City Hall.
  • The petition accused Sir Sadiq of "devastating the city we love so much" and not upholding his duty to the city and its inhabitants.
  • Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said in December that Sir Sadiq's knighthood would see "failure... being rewarded".
  • Sir Sadiq has been re-elected for a third term as Mayor of London in May last year.

Statistics:

  • Over 220,000 people signed a petition against Sir Sadiq Khan's knighthood.
  • Knife crime has increased by more than 50 per cent since Sir Sadiq succeeded Boris Johnson in 2016.
  • Violent crime has soared despite a 71 per cent increase in the portion of council tax paid to City Hall.
  • Since his re-election in May, Londoners were forced to clean up graffiti on the Underground themselves, as Transport for London, of which Sir Sadiq is chairman, failed to remove it.

Sources:

  • Byline: Timothy Sigsworth (The King apologised to Sadiq Khan for "taking so long" to knight him, Labour's Mayor of London has claimed.)
  • "A knighthood is an honour reserved for citizens who've contributed significantly to their communities or professions," (petition against Sir Sadiq's knighthood)
  • Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary (said in December that Sir Sadiq's knighthood would see "failure... being rewarded")

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