Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, publicly apologized to his Conservative rival, Peter Fortune, after referring to him as “thick” during a heated exchange about the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez).
During a session of mayor’s question time at City Hall, Khan halted proceedings to express his regret, stating, “Can I just apologize unreservedly to Peter Fortune for calling him thick?
“I am really sorry for saying that. I have reflected on that and I shouldn’t have said that.
“It’s not appropriate for me to have said that, and I’m really sorry – genuinely.”
Khan then personally repeated his apology to Fortune during a break in the proceedings.
Acceptance of Apology Amid Ongoing Disagreements
Peter Fortune accepted Khan’s apology but pointed out that Khan frequently resorts to “playground insults” as a way to avoid answering questions.
The two had clashed earlier in the session over the effectiveness of Ulez in reducing pollution and improving child health.
Fortune had accused Khan of being evasive, prompting the chairman of the London Assembly, Andrew Boff, to caution against personal abuse in the chamber.
A Contentious Exchange Over Environmental Matters
The disagreement between Khan and Fortune centered on Fortune’s questioning of Khan regarding the actions of his deputy mayor for the environment, Shirley Rodrigues.
Fortune alleged that Rodrigues had pressured experts to provide comments favorable to the mayor about Ulez and its precursor, the Low Emission Zone, through email correspondence.
Khan defended Rodrigues, stating that there was nothing inappropriate in her interactions with experts.
Ongoing Investigation and Scrutiny
Khan is currently under investigation by the City Hall watchdog for potentially misleading the assembly regarding his knowledge of the Ulez expansion consultation.
This investigation also considers Khan’s remarks at a public meeting in Ealing, where he suggested that anti-Ulez campaigners were aligning with the far-Right.
While exchanges of insults between Khan and Tory assembly members are not uncommon during mayor’s question time, Khan’s public apology is a relatively rare occurrence.
Fortune’s Call for Greater Accountability
In response, Peter Fortune emphasized the importance of accountability in the role of London’s mayor.
He expressed the need for Khan to respond openly to scrutiny and set a better example of behavior in public life, especially in light of recent controversies involving his deputy mayor and his own use of language.
Fortune emphasized the importance of tough questions and transparency in leadership.
The Role of Civility in Public Discourse
Sadiq Khan’s public apology to Peter Fortune highlights the significance of maintaining civility and respect in public discourse, particularly in the realm of politics.
The exchange underscores the need for elected officials to engage in constructive dialogue and respond to scrutiny with dignity.
In a climate where political tensions can run high, maintaining a level of decorum is essential for fostering healthy and productive discussions for the benefit of the public they serve.
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