Sadiq Khan opens up on family’s ‘mixed reaction’ over knighthood | Politics | News

“They think I’ve sold out, I’m part of the establishment, all that sort of stuff. My nephews and nieces think I’m elite.”

He added: “I’m not going to pretend it’s not lovely. It’s a huge honour.”

Khan has been the Mayor of London since 2016 in which time knife crime has risen by a staggering 38%.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp believes the decision to award Khan with the honour will leave Londoners “furious”.

He said: “By rewarding the failing Sadiq Khan, Keir Starmer has shown once again that for Labour it is party first, country second.”

Suzanne Hedges lost her 27-year-old son Ricky Hayden in 2016 when he was stabbed to death as he tried to stop a moped from being stolen.

She said: “It’s insulting, degrading and disrespectful to all the families that have lost someone to knife crime who battle day after day to try to keep our streets safe.”

Commentator Carole Malone also blasted the decision adding: “It is beyond belief that Sadiq Khan has been given a knighthood for wrecking our capital city – crime out of control, finances in a mess. What the Hell is wrong with Starmer?”

Also on the honours list was Labour MP Emily Thornberry who served as Starmer’s Shadow Attorney General but was passed up for the role following July’s election.