Sir Sadiq Khan has robustly defended London's safety record, declaring it "one of the safest" major global cities following a significant drop in homicides. The Mayor made the comments during an appearance on Sky News' Mornings With Ridge And Frost on Monday 12 January 2026.
A Capital City's Safety Credentials
Khan presented stark comparative figures to back his claim, stating that London is now more than two-and-a-half times safer than New York, five times safer than Los Angeles, and 12 times safer than Chicago. This assessment comes as the number of homicides in the capital has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, marking a significant milestone for the city's authorities.
His defence was partly a retort to long-time critic, US President Donald Trump. In September, Mr Trump used a speech at the UN General Assembly to criticise the UK and London specifically, labelling it as being run by a "terrible mayor" who had changed the city for the worse.
Transatlantic Rivalries and New Alliances
The interview saw Khan seize the opportunity to criticise the US President directly, branding him a "bully". This continues a lengthy, eight-year feud between the two men, which began when Khan permitted a protest featuring a giant blimp depicting Mr Trump as a baby during his first UK state visit.
In a recent Politico interview, Trump called Khan "horrible, vicious, disgusting" and "incompetent". Khan has responded in kind, describing the President as "racist, sexist, misogynistic" and "Islamophobic".
Conversely, Khan's relationship with New York City's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is markedly warmer. Asked if he had been in contact, Khan said, "We message regularly and stuff, and, it brings a smile to my face, talking about Zohran." The two share liberal values and a critical stance towards Trump.
Advice for a New Mayor? 'He Doesn't Need It'
Mamdani, a Democrat, was elected in November 2025, becoming New York's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, as well as its youngest in over a century—a victory Khan said meant "hope won". He began his term on New Year's Day 2026.
When Sky News' Wilfred Frost asked if Khan had any tips for Mamdani on handling President Trump, the London mayor was dismissive of the need for counsel. "He doesn't need advice from me. He's going to be a great mayor," Khan stated, predicting Mamdani would do a "great job" in the "second-greatest city in the world."
Despite Trump having labelled Mamdani a "communist", the pair held an unexpectedly friendly meeting at the White House after the election. Khan, however, offered broader advice stemming from his own experiences: "What I would say to anybody is, whether you're nine years old, whether you're 14 years old, whether you're older. Don't let bullies win."
Looking to his own future, Sir Sadiq Khan did not rule out seeking an unprecedented fourth term as Mayor of London, quipping that his "last election was nearer than my next one, so ask me again in a year's time."
