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Fallon refuses to say London is safe under Sadiq Khan - live Fallon refuses to say London is safe under Sadiq Khan - live
(35 minutes later)
11.52am BST
11:52
Khan returns to his seat in the front row. Met police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is on the front row too, as is Ed Miliband.
Khan has signed the document - I can confirm he's right handed.
School pupils from St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate are going to sing now. They’re doing a rendition of James Bay’s Hold Back the River.
My colleague Jamie Grierson says the singing is very good, though it’s not being picked up on the live feed.
I can confirm the children are very good.
Updated
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11.49am BST
11:49
Khan promises he will always do everything in his power to make the city better, to give all Londoners the chances he has had.
It’s a brief speech, Khan will now sign the declaration of acceptance of the role of the Mayor of London to formally take on the role.
Updated
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11.47am BST
11:47
Khan is speaking now. He says he is delighted to be at Southwark cathedral, and he deliberately chose the venue to signify how he is there to represent all communities, of all backgrounds.
“Some of you may not know, I grew up on a council estate, a few miles from here,” he says, to laughs from the crowd (he has used this line before).
“I never dreamed I could be Mayor of London.”
Updated
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11.45am BST
11:45
Sadiq Khan signs in at Southwark Cathedral
Baroness Doreen Lawrence is introducing Sadiq Khan. She says she never imagined she would see an ethnic-minority mayor in London in her lifetime. It is a sign the city has chosen hope over fear, she says.
Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, saying some words of introduction about Sadiq.
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11.43am BST
11:43
Miliband: Khan's win sends a message
Jamie Grierson
Taking a seat at the front of the cathedral for the multifaith service was former Labour leader Ed Miliband.Asked about Khan’s victory, he said: “It’s a fantastic win and sends a message all round the world about the kind of place London is.
“Obviously it’s a historic moment to have a first Muslim mayor but it goes beyond that. Sadiq ran a positive campaign about the issues and I think Zac Goldsmith ran a very nasty divisive campaign and I think that has been roundly rejected.
“The Conservative party needs to explain why they ran this campaign against Sadiq, well they ran it because they thought they could win and they lost and the people of London have rejected that campaign and supported Sadiq for all of what he stands for: the passion, the values and who he is.”
Asked whether Khan’s election could be viewed as a wider endorsement of the Labour Party, he said “I’ll let others comment on that. I think the most important thing to say is Sadiq ran a great campaign, obviously supported by Jeremy Corbyn. I think it’s great for London that we’ve got Sadiq as mayor.”
And asked to comment on the wider local elections results, he said: “Today’s a day for celebrating Sadiq.”
Updated
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11.39am BST
11:39
My brother ran 'thoughtful, visionary' campaign - Ben Goldsmith
Zac Goldsmith’s brother Ben, the London financier and environmentalist, has praised his elder brother’s campaign and says it asked legitimate questions.
He told the Guardian:
I am proud of my brother. He is the most decent, thoughtful, visionary man I know. It is because of his influence that I have grown up an environmentalist.
Of course I’m sad he did not win this election. But fundamentally London is a Labour city. Boris - with the advantage of being a household name at the time - won in 2008 against the backdrop of a long-standing and unpopular Labour government.
My brother was right to ask entirely legitimate questions of Sadiq Khan - a man running for Mayor of London - as to his known past associations with militant Islamists. Jeremy Corbyn is having to answer precisely the same questions.
Those who sought to stifle such debate with disingenuous and scary cries of ‘racism’ were the ones who brought race and religion into this election. Nobody else.
As former Labour peer Alan Sugar has pointed out, Labour has been overrun by ‘militants, Trots, anti-Semites and Islamist sympathisers’. Let’s hope Sadiq can now present an alternative vision for Labour as Mayor of London. I wish him very well.
Proud of my brother today pic.twitter.com/kZq935GzjI
Jemima Goldsmith, Goldsmith’s journalist elder sister who was previously married to cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was far more critical last night.
Sad that Zac's campaign did not reflect who I know him to be- an eco friendly, independent- minded politician with integrity.
Updated
at 11.57am BST
11.22am BST11.22am BST
11:2211:22
My colleague Jamie Grierson is at Southwark cathedral for Sadiq Khan’s signing-in ceremony.My colleague Jamie Grierson is at Southwark cathedral for Sadiq Khan’s signing-in ceremony.
I'm at Southwark cathedral where @SadiqKhan will formally be sworn in as mayor of London. Lovely day for it. pic.twitter.com/DkpcXPdEN6I'm at Southwark cathedral where @SadiqKhan will formally be sworn in as mayor of London. Lovely day for it. pic.twitter.com/DkpcXPdEN6
There’s a famous face and a old boss there to greet him.There’s a famous face and a old boss there to greet him.
Sadiq Khan was welcomed at Southwark cathedral by Sir Ian McKellen, who will attend the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/X8zxXNJj40Sadiq Khan was welcomed at Southwark cathedral by Sir Ian McKellen, who will attend the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/X8zxXNJj40
Ed Miliband in da house at Southwark cathedral to watch @SadiqKhan sign in as mayor of LondonEd Miliband in da house at Southwark cathedral to watch @SadiqKhan sign in as mayor of London
11.17am BST11.17am BST
11:1711:17
Paul Goodman, the editor of ConHome, says the party must listen to Amin’s warning.Paul Goodman, the editor of ConHome, says the party must listen to Amin’s warning.
Don't agree with all of it, but CCHQ should take this @Mohammed_Amin critique of @ZacGoldsmith campaign v.seriously https://t.co/ZJwqqKvj6pDon't agree with all of it, but CCHQ should take this @Mohammed_Amin critique of @ZacGoldsmith campaign v.seriously https://t.co/ZJwqqKvj6p
11.15am BST11.15am BST
11:1511:15
Aisha Gani, late of this parish, now at Buzzfeed, says she asked Mohammed Amin, chair of the Conservative Muslim forum, for his views on Goldsmith’s campaign many times, but he did not criticise the tactics.Aisha Gani, late of this parish, now at Buzzfeed, says she asked Mohammed Amin, chair of the Conservative Muslim forum, for his views on Goldsmith’s campaign many times, but he did not criticise the tactics.
Asked chairman of the conservative Muslim forum on two occasions of his thoughts on the campaign: pic.twitter.com/QBGbSEr14iAsked chairman of the conservative Muslim forum on two occasions of his thoughts on the campaign: pic.twitter.com/QBGbSEr14i
In the Conservative Home piece, Amin says he was reluctant to be so forcefully critical in public during the campaign.In the Conservative Home piece, Amin says he was reluctant to be so forcefully critical in public during the campaign.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:7, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” During the campaign for London Mayor, the media approached me many times regarding Zac Goldsmith’s comments about Sadiq Khan. I emulated a Trappist monk, but now that the election is over, I can remain silent no longer.As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:7, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” During the campaign for London Mayor, the media approached me many times regarding Zac Goldsmith’s comments about Sadiq Khan. I emulated a Trappist monk, but now that the election is over, I can remain silent no longer.
11.11am BST11.11am BST
11:1111:11
Chuka Ummuna, the former shadow cabinet minister, says Labour has a lot to lear from Khan’s campaign, his message and his focus.Chuka Ummuna, the former shadow cabinet minister, says Labour has a lot to lear from Khan’s campaign, his message and his focus.
.@SadiqKhan's campaign > a text book example of how @UKLabour wins elections - https://t.co/dvzOysGxvF.@SadiqKhan's campaign > a text book example of how @UKLabour wins elections - https://t.co/dvzOysGxvF
“Sadiq’s thoroughly modern campaign has been pro worker and pro business, united rich and poor, talked to the young and old, and people of all faiths and none,” he wrote. “It engaged with the aspiration all Londoners share to get on and it has embraced the future.”“Sadiq’s thoroughly modern campaign has been pro worker and pro business, united rich and poor, talked to the young and old, and people of all faiths and none,” he wrote. “It engaged with the aspiration all Londoners share to get on and it has embraced the future.”
With Sadiq in City Hall, and a strong team of Labour Assembly Members, Labour won’t be shouting from the sidelines - we will be able to take real action to improve the lives of Londoners, be it tackling the housing crisis, increasing equality or reducing poverty and helping Londoners get on.With Sadiq in City Hall, and a strong team of Labour Assembly Members, Labour won’t be shouting from the sidelines - we will be able to take real action to improve the lives of Londoners, be it tackling the housing crisis, increasing equality or reducing poverty and helping Londoners get on.
That is, after all, what we all came into politics to do.That is, after all, what we all came into politics to do.
It is also great to see Londoners reject David Cameron and his Tories’ nasty dog whistle campaign. If you peddle prejudice you will lose, and rightly so.It is also great to see Londoners reject David Cameron and his Tories’ nasty dog whistle campaign. If you peddle prejudice you will lose, and rightly so.
10.59am BST10.59am BST
10:5910:59
'Zac campaign made Islamist extremist recruitment easier''Zac campaign made Islamist extremist recruitment easier'
Mohammed Amin, chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum, says Goldsmith’s campaign had made it easier for Islamic extremists to recruit in Britain, with impressionable young Muslim having seen a high-profile Muslim candidate subject to such public smears.Mohammed Amin, chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum, says Goldsmith’s campaign had made it easier for Islamic extremists to recruit in Britain, with impressionable young Muslim having seen a high-profile Muslim candidate subject to such public smears.
Writing on Conservative Home, Amin says he was asked repeatedly to comment on the nature of Goldsmith’s campaign but held his tongue.Writing on Conservative Home, Amin says he was asked repeatedly to comment on the nature of Goldsmith’s campaign but held his tongue.
Now the election is over, he says he can be “silent no longer.”Now the election is over, he says he can be “silent no longer.”
ISIS are perpetually seeking to radicalise and recruit young British Muslims to their cause. At the margin, I believe there is a risk that young impressionable British Muslims who witnessed Khan being smeared in this manner will thereby be made more vulnerable to radicalisation than they were before.ISIS are perpetually seeking to radicalise and recruit young British Muslims to their cause. At the margin, I believe there is a risk that young impressionable British Muslims who witnessed Khan being smeared in this manner will thereby be made more vulnerable to radicalisation than they were before.
He said the attempts to smear Khan by association with Muslim radicals had deeply disturbed Muslims in the Tory party.He said the attempts to smear Khan by association with Muslim radicals had deeply disturbed Muslims in the Tory party.
It was not just me reading Zac’s messages this way. Every Muslim member of the Conservative Party who has discussed the campaign with me has understood the messages in this way, as have many, probably most, non-Muslim commentators.It was not just me reading Zac’s messages this way. Every Muslim member of the Conservative Party who has discussed the campaign with me has understood the messages in this way, as have many, probably most, non-Muslim commentators.
Amin said he did vote for Zac, though his wife voted for Khan, but could not bear “to do a single days campaigning for Zac after January, because I was disgusted (I considered milder words, but decided to be frank) with the tone of his campaign and his repeated, and risible, attempts to smear Sadiq Khan.”Amin said he did vote for Zac, though his wife voted for Khan, but could not bear “to do a single days campaigning for Zac after January, because I was disgusted (I considered milder words, but decided to be frank) with the tone of his campaign and his repeated, and risible, attempts to smear Sadiq Khan.”
The campaign, he said had imperilled attempts to reach Muslim voters and said the US Republican party was a warning of what could be to come if the party did not appeal to minority voters.The campaign, he said had imperilled attempts to reach Muslim voters and said the US Republican party was a warning of what could be to come if the party did not appeal to minority voters.
The conservative commentator, Tim Montgomerie, has also criticised how the campaign was run, in an article on the website.The conservative commentator, Tim Montgomerie, has also criticised how the campaign was run, in an article on the website.
It’s a real shame that Londoners never really got to see that Zac. He should have stood up to the Crosby-Textor-Fullbrook dark knight operation. I think he’ll regret for many years to come that he didn’t.It’s a real shame that Londoners never really got to see that Zac. He should have stood up to the Crosby-Textor-Fullbrook dark knight operation. I think he’ll regret for many years to come that he didn’t.
My congratulations to @SadiqKhan on his election as Mayor of London. It will inspire Muslims & other disadvantaged groups around the world.My congratulations to @SadiqKhan on his election as Mayor of London. It will inspire Muslims & other disadvantaged groups around the world.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.05am BSTat 11.05am BST
10.25am BST10.25am BST
10:2510:25
Here’s Michael Fallon’s exact quote on Sadiq Khan and his association with Suliman Gani, repeating the allegation Gani threatened to sue over. Gani says the allegation is utterly false and defamatory.Here’s Michael Fallon’s exact quote on Sadiq Khan and his association with Suliman Gani, repeating the allegation Gani threatened to sue over. Gani says the allegation is utterly false and defamatory.
These questions are asked during elections. Your own Andrew Neil, on a BBC programme, said of his appearance with Suliman Gani, a supporter of Daesh Islamic State, said you [Khan] appeared with him on a platform nine times.These questions are asked during elections. Your own Andrew Neil, on a BBC programme, said of his appearance with Suliman Gani, a supporter of Daesh Islamic State, said you [Khan] appeared with him on a platform nine times.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.26am BSTat 10.26am BST
9.55am BST9.55am BST
09:5509:55
Sadiq Khan is out and about already this morning, despite the very late night declaration and reports of a raucous victory party last night (though Khan himself does not drink). He’s off to Southwark Cathedral to officially sign in as Mayor at 11.30am.Sadiq Khan is out and about already this morning, despite the very late night declaration and reports of a raucous victory party last night (though Khan himself does not drink). He’s off to Southwark Cathedral to officially sign in as Mayor at 11.30am.
He’s not moving into his office in City Hall today, however. I just called the mayor’s office to check, and from a technical, legal perspective, he’ll officially start his term from 00.01 on Monday morning.He’s not moving into his office in City Hall today, however. I just called the mayor’s office to check, and from a technical, legal perspective, he’ll officially start his term from 00.01 on Monday morning.
(Note: I said sworn in earlier, but the ceremony is a signing-in, not a swearing in, according to Khan’s team)(Note: I said sworn in earlier, but the ceremony is a signing-in, not a swearing in, according to Khan’s team)
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.13am BSTat 11.13am BST
9.41am BST9.41am BST
09:4109:41
Ahmed Versi, editor of the Muslim News, has told Sky News he believes the mayoral race could have been much closer between Goldsmith and Khan if the campaign had not been so focussed on Khan’s Muslim faith.Ahmed Versi, editor of the Muslim News, has told Sky News he believes the mayoral race could have been much closer between Goldsmith and Khan if the campaign had not been so focussed on Khan’s Muslim faith.
It was very unfortunate the Conservative party decided to focus on his faith rather than his policies.It was very unfortunate the Conservative party decided to focus on his faith rather than his policies.
I think there has been a misunderstanding about Sadiq Khan and his associations, he was a human rights lawyer and so he had to represent these people, and sometimes these people were his constituents so he had to represent them.I think there has been a misunderstanding about Sadiq Khan and his associations, he was a human rights lawyer and so he had to represent these people, and sometimes these people were his constituents so he had to represent them.
It was the prime minister who tried to bring out the faith of Sadiq Khan, not Sadiq himself.It was the prime minister who tried to bring out the faith of Sadiq Khan, not Sadiq himself.
9.37am BST
09:37
David Lammy, one of Sadiq Khan’s initial rivals for the Labour candidacy, had some warm words for him earlier on the BBC.
If we ever get a prime minister of colour it will be because of what Sadiq Khan has achieved.
The Tottenham MP called Khan “a grafter, he is someone who gets on with people, he is someone who is pragmatic when he needs to be and he certainly has a vision for this city”.
9.35am BST
09:35
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has welcomed his new boss to City Hall:
I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Sadiq Khan as the new mayor of our great capital.
I look forward to working with him and all London’s new and re-elected Assembly members, to continue transforming the Met to keep London one of the safest capitals in the world.
9.31am BST
09:31
Daily Mail columnist Peter Oborne says Fallon should apologise for his comments about Gani.
1/2. Speaking on Today programme Michael Fallon has just repeated claim, first made by David Cameron at PMQs, that Suliman Gani supports IS.
2/2. This claim about S Gani is completely false. Cameron and Fallon must retract their outrageous smear against decent man and apologise.
9.17am BST
09:17
Fallon may find himself in a tricky position after that Radio 4 Today programme.
Gani has previously said he would sue those who associated him with Islamic State, previously pointing out that he had convened a conference called “The Evils of ISIS” at the South London Islamic Centre.
The allegation was first made by David Cameron at PMQs, but Number 10 later rowed back, saying that the prime minister had intended to say Gani supports “an Islamic state” rather than the terror group “Islamic State”. The allegations made in the chamber are protected by parliamentary privilege, which means MPs cannot be sued for what they say there.
Gani said he would pursue legal action if the claim was repeated. “I challenge him [the prime minister] to repeat those absurd and flagrantly flawed assertions about myself outside the chamber,” he said earlier this month. He also gained a formal apology from the BBC after presenter Andrew Neil repeated the claim on the BBC’s mayoral debate, after threatening to sue the broadcaster.
#DodgyDave pic.twitter.com/43RZN7AvSf
Statement about @sulimangani pic.twitter.com/ubX9tEhijB
Updated
at 9.27am BST
9.02am BST
09:02
Labour politicians are unimpressed with Fallon’s characterisation of the Goldsmith campaign. This from MPs Wes Streeting and Ben Bradshaw.
Fallon and co. could learn a thing or two from Sayeeda Warsi and Sajid Javid. https://t.co/oEMXDfMHhX
If Fallon were a bigger politician he would have immediately apologised for his disgusting smearing of Sadiq Khan @BBCr4today
8.57am BST
08:57
Fallon: Goldsmith campaign was "part of the rough and tumble of politics"
Fallon says the Conservative party does appeal to Muslim voters and candidates.
The questions asked of Sadiq Khan were done “not just by us but also by the media, they were asked about their backgrounds, their judgments, the people they associate with, that’s the nature of our democracy and the rough and tumble of politics.”
Updated
at 9.22am BST
8.54am BST
08:54
Michael Fallon repeats the accusation that Suliman Gani, the Tooting imam who has appeared on platforms with Sadiq Khan, is a supporter of Islamic State. This has been denied in the strongest possible terms by Ghani, who has previously campaigned for the Conservative party.
When Cameron made the same claim about Gani at prime minister’s questions, Gani called it “defamation at the highest level” and said he would sue had the claims not been made in the House of Commons, where they are protected by parliamentary privilege.
Reminder given what Fallon just said about Gani, what he himself told @SkyNewsTonight https://t.co/46aeZPlHjU
Updated
at 9.23am BST
8.45am BST
08:45
Sarah Montague repeats her question about security for a third time. Fallon is not keen to answer. He has yet to say that he is not worried about London’s security under Khan.
Stuff gets said during elections, questions get posed. I hope you’re not suggesting that people’s records, the platforms they’ve shared, shouldn’t be properly scrutinised and tested and challenged.
Montague says she is not asking that, but about the safety of London.
“We are going to work with Sadiq Khan to keep London safe,” Fallon says.
Montague says it is “striking” that he cannot say London is safe under its new mayor.
London is safe with a Conservative government, working with the new mayor. The London mayor works alongside the home secretary and the Metropolitan police to keep London safe.
Updated
at 9.19am BST
8.40am BST
08:40
Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, who once called Sadiq Khan a “Labour lackey who speaks alongside extremists, proving himself unfit to perform that role [as mayor]” is on Radio 4’s Today programme.
Presenter Sarah Montague is asking him whether he still believes Khan is a security risk.
We look forward to working with him, working with a Conservative government, continuing the investment and growth in this great city of ours that Boris Johnson managed so successfully, working alongside a Conservative government.
Questions were asked about the platforms he’d shared with various extremists, and they were asked not just by us but by the media too. He answered those questions and now he is elected the mayor we want to work with him.
Updated
at 9.19am BST
8.29am BST
08:29
Sadiq Khan to be sworn in as Mayor of London
Good morning, we’re following the reaction to the decisive election victory of Labour’s Sadiq Khan as mayor of London, after a bitter and pernicious campaign.
His main opponent, Zac Goldsmith, was widely criticised last night by fellow Conservatives and his own sister, Jemima, for his campaign which tried to associate Khan with extremism by focusing on Islamists he had shared platforms with in the past. He will be sworn in at a multi-faith ceremony at Southwark Cathedral at 11.30am.
Khan, the son of an immigrant bus driver and a clothesmaker, who is now arguably the most powerful Muslim politician in the western world, said London had chosen to reject the scaremongering.
This election was not without controversy and I’m so proud that London has today chosen hope over fear and unity over division. I hope that we will never be offered such a stark choice again. Fear does not make us safer, it only makes us weaker, and the politics of fear is simply not welcome in our city.
Khan now has the biggest ever individual mandate in UK political history.
Also coming up today:
Updated
at 11.13am BST