Public 'sick to death' of mayor's foreign trips as Khan takes 24,000 mile Rio journey
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The Tories accused Sadiq Khan of getting his priorities wrong after going on a 24,000 mile round trip to an environment summit in Rio.
Conservative London Assembly member Susan Hall said it was a case of 'do as I say, not as I do' from the mayor after he flew to the C40 World Mayors Summit.
The event allows countries to present or update their national climate plans and talk about the transition from fossil fuels toward renewable energy.
But Susan Hall said the public was "sick to death" of the mayor being absent in London.
"They all fly there and they fly all their staff there - it's do as I say, not as I do and I'll tell you what, the British public are sick to death of this," Susan Hall said.
"12,000 miles there and back so that he can tell us all how green we need to be!" Ms Hall explained.
The Chancellor's budget speech is just weeks away and Sadiq Khan was urged to focus on getting the best deal for London.
Ms Hall added: "Isn't it right that the mayor should represent us when we're actually looking at a budget coming in a few weeks time?
"He should be actually dealing with the government at the moment to get as much money as he can for London, which he is not doing. That's his job, that's what he's paid for."
Labour came into Government pledging to remove almost all fossil fuels from the UK’s electricity supply by 2030, as part of efforts to secure energy supplies, curb bills, boost investment and tackle climate change.
But the agenda has faced significant pushback from the Conservatives and Reform UK, who have pledged to ditch "expensive" net zero policies and repeal climate legislation.
A spokesperson for the mayor said Sadiq Khan has an important job to do in Rio, adding: "As co-chair of C40 cities, Sadiq is at the World Mayor's Summit where he is leading critical climate discussions.
"Along with over 300 global Mayors, Sadiq is discussing the action major cities can take to help tackle the climate crisis - and address how to confront tough issues including disinformation, inequality and the huge gap in urban climate finance that is restricting the progress.
"Reaching London’s climate goals is one of the Mayor’s top priorities. Sadiq has been clear that these goals are ambitious and will require us to work with the private sector and Government to achieve targets, as he continues to explore all avenues to fund the capital’s crucial climate work."
Mr Khan's fifth trip of the year was, however, praised by some even though it sent 'mixed messages'.
"I think it's important that the Mayor of London is at C40 and also at the climate change negotiations more widely," said Zack Polanski, London Assembly Member for the Green Party.
"I do think there's a hypocrisy though when he's a mayor that stands with a Prime Minister who is expanding airports, who is opening a new oil field in the Rosebank oil field and also just general decisions.
"So there is a hypocrisy to turning up to climate change negotiations."
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