Sadiq Khan is no stranger to racist abuse. As one of the UK’s most high-profile Muslim politicians, he has been targeted by opposition politicians and online trolls alike. But this week was different, he said. It was the first time his own daughters felt scared.
Reflecting on the events of the past 10 days, the London mayor could not help but draw on the long and dark memories people of his generation have of hostile nationalist groups such as the BNP and the National Front.
“What’s heartbreaking to me is my children’s generation had never experienced what I had,” he said. “And they, for the first time, were scared. I thought I’d be the last generation to be scared, simply for who I am. And it breaks my heart.”
“I’m somebody who grew up in the 1970s and 80s and experienced the National Front and the BNP and I thought that’s behind us,” said Khan. “Like a lot of people of my generation, I felt triggered by the events of the last couple of weeks in particular.
“It’s difficult to explain the ripples when you’ve been targeted because of your religion or colour of your skin and you can’t change either of those things. And whether you’re seeing physical acts of violence taking place in the north-west or the north-east, you feel it in London.”
The scenes of anti-fascist demonstrators filling the streets in London on Wednesday night were a “source of pride”, he said. But he added there was a fear among minority communities that the wider population would read those images as an indication that the fight was over. Many are still afraid of leaving home wearing headscarves or going to mosques, he said.
“People are thinking twice about going to the mosque, tomorrow’s Friday prayers … do you take your kids with you?” he said. “Asking your boss can you work from home because you’re worried about using public transport?”
Khan, who was meeting teenagers at Chelsea FC’s programme on anti-racism, said there was a renewed need for vigilance – especially this coming weekend. “I’m not sure how anybody can put their hand on their heart and say the worst is behind us, say ‘mission accomplished’,” he said.
“It was fantastic and a source of pride to me that you saw thousands of people coming together yesterday. Different backgrounds, different ethnicities, different religions, different faiths, showing unity and allyship to those of us who have been targeted. Yesterday was a damp squib (for the far-right) … [but] they’re going to carry on trying to divide our communities.”
Khan has often been the target of online hate including death threats and deep fake audio, much of which has been prompted in recent months by his clean air policies and the ultra-low emissions zone charge which have been repeatedly attacked by the Conservatives.
The London mayor said the rioting that followed disinformation spread about the alleged perpetrator of the murders of three young girls at a Southport dance club showed reform was needed to regulation.
“The way the algorithms work, the way that misinformation can spread very quickly and disinformation … that’s a cause to be concerned, we’ve seen a direct consequence of this,” he said. “I think what the government should do very quickly is check whether the Online Safety Act is fit for purpose; I think it’s not fit for purpose.”
But Khan said he was “realistic” that politicians still needed to use the platform and he would not support a boycott. “One of the ways we can address people’s fears is using the medium that’s used by citizens and that is social media platforms,” he said.
He warned that politicians were also vulnerable to disinformation and guilty of spreading false information. “You’re throwing fuel on the fire which has led to some of the stuff we’ve seen across the country the last week or so,” he said, without pointing the finger directly.
“I find it offensive that a mainstream politician could try to use the horror and tragedy of three little girls been murdered … to promote a view they’ve got about society, and that’s what’s happened.”
One politician Khan is prepared to attack directly is Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister who is a frontrunner for the Conservative leadership. Jenrick said on Tuesday that he was angered with the policing of pro-Gaza demonstrations and questioned why protesters shouting Allahu Akbar – which means God is Great –were not arrested.
“I think somebody who aspires to be the leader of the Conservative party, who must, by extension, aspire to be the prime minister, should understand some of the basics about one of the major religions of the globe, one of the major religions of our country,” Khan said.
“His remarks are so offensive, so hurtful, so dangerous. It’s akin to somebody saying we should outlaw the word hallelujah. Just think about the ridiculousness of saying that. It’s not a good enough excuse to say that’s just because of the Conservative leadership [race], that’s not good a enough excuse. I think Robert will reflect on that. And, you know, he’ll do the decent thing I hope, I hope and apologise.”
