Sadiq Khan cannot represent all Londoners unless he condemns leader’s wreath-laying trip, say Tories

Three rival Tory Mayor of London candidates today united to call on Sadiq Khan to condemn Jeremy Corbyn’s wreath-laying trip to Tunis.

Shaun Bailey, Joy Morrissey and Andrew Boff said Mr Khan could not represent “all Londoners” unless he did so. Mr Khan has accepted Mr Corbyn’s denial that the ceremony he attended was intended to honour terrorists.

A wreath was laid near the grave of a man believed to have been linked to the Black September group that murdered and mutilated Jewish athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The Tory trio said they were “appalled” that Mr Corbyn had taken part in an event “which appears to have commemorated terrorists”.

They highlighted Labour’s initial denials that Mr Corbyn took part in the wreath-laying and his comments that he “didn’t think” he participated, despite pictures of him with a wreath.

“Mr Khan has made much of the fact that London is a diverse and tolerant city to all our communities, including its Jewish community,” said the Tories. “He must unequivocally condemn Jeremy Corbyn’s presence at such an event. If he does not, he cannot continue to claim to be a Mayor for all Londoners.”

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: “Sadiq thinks it would be completely wrong for anyone to honour the grave of any terrorists, but Jeremy has repeatedly said that is not what happened.” Mr Corbyn insists the wreath-laying he took part in was for victims of war.

Mr Khan’s statement added: “Sadiq has been at the forefront of challenging anti-Semitism across London and within the Labour Party. He adopted the full IHRA definition in City Hall and called for Labour to do the same, and for any anti-Semites to be expelled from the Party.

“Londoners won’t take any lessons from these Tories who campaigned for Zac Goldsmith, who ran an openly racist campaign in 2016, and stay silent about Boris Johnson’s recent comments.”