Sadiq Khan is accused of ‘gutter politics’ over website claiming Tory mayor rival Susan Hall is ‘prejudiced against black Londoners’
Sadiq Khan has been accused of ‘gutter politics’ over a website claiming rival Susan Hall is ‘prejudiced against black Londoners’.
Labour has been sending out ads on Facebook linking to the site, which makes a series of attacks on the Tory mayoral hopeful.
They include allegations that Ms Hall uses ‘far-right, xenophobic and dehumanising language’, and ‘supports Donald Trump’s efforts to divide London’s communities’.
Another section swipes about Ms Hall’s record on diversity, quoting her saying: ‘Problems with crime within the Black community is something I have brought up constantly… the problem is, the minute we do we are accused of being racist.’
The brutal tactics point to a bitter struggle for City Hall next May, with polls showing that victory for Mr Khan is far from certain.
Sadiq Khan has been accused of ‘gutter politics’ over a website claiming rival Susan Hall is ‘prejudiced against black Londoners’
Labour has been sending out ads on Facebook linking to the site (pictured), which makes a series of attacks on the Tory mayoral hopeful
It is still unclear whether Jeremy Corbyn might throw his hat into the ring after being barred from standing as a Labour MP again – potentially splitting the left-wing vote and handing victory to Ms Hall.
A Conservative Party source told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘Sadiq Khan is resorting to a desperate gutter politics strategy because he cannot defend his abysmal record.
‘He is smearing his opponent with misinformation and making false claims that the election is rigged. Londoners will see through this nonsense.’
The website branding Ms Hall ‘extreme’ also accuses the Tories of trying to ‘rig’ the contest by making it first-past-the-post this time instead of ranking candidates – even though the former system is used in general elections.
Labour has been increasingly anxious about the impact of Mr Khan’s expansion of the Ulez area on the mayor battle.
Polls have shown the candidates within the margin of error, and Ms Hall winning if Mr Corbyn does stand.
A London Labour spokesman said the capital will have to choose between Mr Khan and an ‘out of touch Tory candidate’.
‘The Mayoral election will be a close two-horse race with a choice between Labour’s Sadiq, who is building a better London for everyone – and the out-of-touch Tory candidate,’ they said.
The brutal tactics point to a bitter struggle for City Hall next May, with polls showing that Mr Khan’s victory over Ms Hall (pictured) is far from certain
‘The Tories are changing the voting system both by scrapping 2nd preference votes used in every London Mayoral election since 2000, and introducing unfair new voter ID rules which unfairly penalise young people and minorities.
‘Labour is urging Londoners to lend Sadiq their vote and not let the Tories do to London what they have done to the country.
‘Sadiq will continue delivering for London – free school meals for every primary school child, record numbers of council homes and being tough on crime and its complex causes.’
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