A petition demanding Sadiq Khan does not receive a knighthood in the New Year honours list has almost hit 100,000 signatures.
The Labour Mayor of London is understood to be in line for the honour for political and public services after almost two decades in frontline politics.
But a Change.org petition started by Tory councillor Matthew Goodwin-Freeman calling for Mr Khan not to receive the honour had racked up 98,000 name as of this morning.
The petition highlights crime in the capital and hits out at the London Mayor’s “polarizing politics”.
It says: “Sadiq Khan’s tenure as Mayor of London has devastated the city we love so much. Our once thriving capital is now divided and stagnant, and all under his watch.
“We’ve seen Khan continuously deflect responsibility and accountability, blaming everybody but himself. Our beloved city is in an expensive paralysis, consistently interrupted by strikes.
“London, once a vibrant, inclusive hub, now stands divided thanks to Khan’s polarizing politics.
“London’s crime rate has seen a marked increase during his tenure with knife crime reaching record heights in recent years (Metropolitan Police Data).
“Despite being in a position to enact change, Khan continues to ignore these grave issues, instead placing blame elsewhere rather than taking decisive action himself.
“Not to mention, the price of living and transport in London has risen dramatically during Khan’s tenure.
“Despite promising affordable living for all Londoners, we’ve seen rent prices rise by 35% since he took his post in 2016 (Office for National Statistics).
“This has left many Londoners in challenging living conditions, unable to afford the city they’ve called home for years.”
The petition accuses Mr Khan of having “failed to uphold his duty to our city and its inhabitants”.
It says: “A knighthood is an honour reserved for citizens who’ve contributed significantly to their communities or professions.
“It’s a recognition of service that deserves the utmost respect, and as such, should not be bestowed on Sadiq Khan, who has failed to uphold his duty to our city and its inhabitants.
“We strongly urge the relevant authorities not to knight Sadiq Khan. It’s time we held our leaders accountable. For these reasons, we urge you to sign this petition.”
