Sadiq Khan, now officially Sir Sadiq Khan, has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list following his record-breaking third term as Mayor of London. Sir Sadiq, the son of a Pakistani bus driver, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m truly humbled. Growing up on a council estate in South London, I couldn’t have imagined becoming the Mayor of London. It’s the honour of my life to serve this city.”
Journey from Tooting to City Hall
Born to Pakistani parents in Tooting, South London, Sir Sadiq began his career as a human rights lawyer. Entering parliament in 2005 as the MP for Tooting, he later served under Gordon Brown as a junior minister and under Ed Miliband as shadow justice secretary.
In 2016, he made history by defeating Zac Goldsmith to become the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city, succeeding Boris Johnson. He has since been re-elected twice, making him the only individual to serve three terms as Mayor of London.
Achievements as Mayor
Sir Sadiq has championed key initiatives to make London greener, safer, and more inclusive. His administration is noted for its focus on modernizing London’s transport system, including naming and colour-coding the London Overground lines.
A Feud with Donald Trump
Sir Sadiq’s tenure as mayor included a high-profile feud with former US President Donald Trump. The rivalry began in 2015 when Khan criticised Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US. In 2018, his office allowed the infamous “Trump Baby” inflatable to fly during Trump’s UK visit.
In 2019, Trump referred to Sir Sadiq as a “stone-cold loser” during a state visit, to which Khan responded, “I’m not 12 years old in a playground. I’m just surprised Donald Trump thinks he is.”
Historic Third Term and Media Support
In May 2024, Sir Sadiq made history by winning a third term as London Mayor, defeating Conservative candidate Susan Hall with a 275,000-vote majority.
During his re-election campaign, Sir Sadiq praised Geo News for its coverage, highlighting its role in countering racism, Islamophobia, and fake news. “Geo News reaches homes across all platforms, raising awareness and educating the public. Their fair coverage during my campaign helped combat the hate and misinformation spread about me,” he said.
Pride in Serving London
Reflecting on his journey and responsibilities, Sir Sadiq stated, “It’s vital to counter misinformation in this age of fake news. I’m proud to serve as the mayor of the world’s greatest city and grateful for the support of those who believe in a fairer, more inclusive London.”
