‘Outrageous’: Hall blasts Khan after he calls her dangerous
SADIQ KHAN was accused by his Tory rival Susan Hall of an “outrageous” slur after describing her as the “the most dangerous candidate I’ve fought against” during a live radio debate.
The London mayoral frontrunners clashed on LBC after Mr Khan, who requires round-the-clock police protection, was asked if he would feel safe in a city run by Ms Hall. The question was raised after Ms Hall was asked about social media activity in recent years, which has included “liking” a post that called Mr Khan a “traitor rat”, and sharing another post that referred to him as the mayor of “Londonistan”.
Mr Khan told LBC presenter Tom Swarbrick: “This is very serious because it affects me and my personal safety and my family’s personal safety. I’ve thought long and hard about this. I’ve fought three council elections. I’ve fought three parliamentary elections. This is my third mayoral election. The Tory candidate is the most dangerous candidate I’ve fought against.”
Ms Hall hit back: “I think that’s an outrageous comment, and he would feel safer in a Susan Hall mayoralty, because I will do things for the police force that will make Londoners safer — much, much safer.
“Look at your record on safety in London. It’s dreadful. This is the first time the Metropolitan police has ever gone into special measures.”
Ms Hall made clear that, were she to win on May 2, she would not seek to reduce the amount of police protection received by Mr Khan. She said this was not a matter for the mayor in any case.
Mr Khan’s description of Ms Hall, a London Assembly member and former council leader, as his “most dangerous” rival may have been driven by his desire to ensure Labour voters turn out on Thursday next week.
Ms Hall said she had “learned from my mistakes” and apologised in relation to social media and had been much more cautious since becoming the Tory candidate.
“I’ve learnt that you have to be very, very careful when you just flick on things without thinking twice about it,” she said.
The row continued when Mr Khan asked Ms Hall whether she regretted “supporting Donald Trump who is a racist, sexist and homophobe”.
He added: “Do you promise to be a mayor, if you win, that unites communities, rather than your record of dividing them?” Ms Hall responded: “I do not divide communities. I support all communities. I come from Harrow, where it’s the most diverse borough in London, I’d say.”