The Mayor of London has insisted his relationship with Rachel Reeves remains “very fraternal” in light of reports that the Chancellor abruptly cut short a meeting between the two about investment in the capital.
Sir Sadiq Khan was allegedly told to “get out” of Ms Reeves’s office as he tried to negotiate more funding for London. The incident has been confirmed by City Hall sources to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), but never by the Mayor himself.
Questioned during Mayor’s Question Time over the series of events by his opponents on the London Assembly, Sir Sadiq said he had never been “thrown out of anyone’s office” but said he would always stand up for London.
“I don’t know the exact words she used, but it was very fraternal, as it always is when I see the Chancellor,” he told Assembly Members. I’ve not received a red card at football either, nor I think slammed a door ever in my life.”
Last month Ms Reeves said she did not “recognise” the language used in the report and said she had a “great relationship” with the Mayor of London.
The disagreement reportedly came when Sir Sadiq attempted to lobby her for more money for transport projects in the capital.
The Chancellor ended up announcing limited financial support for the DLR extension, but did not mention proposals for the West London Orbital or the Bakerloo Line extension.
Sir Sadiq told the London Assembly that he has spent a “lot of time” lobbying the Treasury to invest in major transport infrastructure and would carry on appealing to ministers for funding.
“If the impression is being created that I am a forceful champion for London, I quite like that,” he said of the reports. “If the impression is being left that I will be challenging to both Labour and Conservative Chancellors, I like that as well, because it’s true.
“I am friends with the Chancellor, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not arguing for London – even though members of the government, including the Cabinet, are friends of mine.
“When it comes to London’s needs and priorities, sure, I’ll work with the government, whatever colour it is, when it comes to London. But I’ll be challenging and hold them to account and ask for things, even though they are friends, including the Chancellor.”
