MAYOR of London Sadiq Khan was asked if he is "British" as campaigners against a new congestion charge staged a protest.
The Labour representative was also asked who he supports in the World Cup as he toured Waltham Forest ahead of the council's local elections in May.
The Conservative Friends of Pakistan organised the protest as part of a campaign against the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
This could see Chingford residents pay £12.50 to drive to their local hospital, Whipps Cross in Leytonstone, or the other side of the North Circular Road.
They held up banners with the words "NO TO ULEZ" and shouted protest chants while Labour supporters made their way into the shot, holding up their own banners in support of the mayor.
"£12.50 to get to Whipps Cross Hospital?" The campaigners called out as he tried to make his way through the crowds.
The mayor replied: "We're going to knock on some doors, now. The Tories don't like us, do they?"
Afzal Akram, Valley Ward candidate and Conservative brough campaign manager, who helped organised the protest, told the Guardian: "We took the opportunity to remind him that his proposed expansion of the ULEZ isn’t welcome in this part of London.
"The near £1billion earmarked to be spent on enforcing the new zone can be better spent on upgrading London buses to electric, other public sector vehicles to electric and putting in place a scrappage scheme which will help the poor and vulnerable replace their polluting older cars with newer ones.
"You can’t just simply keep penalising poor and vulnerable people by charging them £12.50 per day to visit the local hospital or cross the A406 into Walthamstow to shop or visit friends and relatives."
But the visit was marred by a lone "racist" in the crowd who asked Mayor Khan if he was British and who he supported in the World Cup.
The same man also abused one of the Conservative's Muslim candidates.
"We in no way support this racist's comments or views and he is in no way connected to the local Conservative party," Mr Akram added.
"We are a united community of all faiths, religions and cultures, and will remain so."
But unfortunately, Mayor Khan assumed the comments had come from the members of the Conservative group.
After the visit, he wrote on Twitter: "Dissapointing to be asked in Waltham Forest today by some Tory activists "If I was British" and who I support in the World Cup.
"Not the London so many of us know and love."
Disappointing to be asked today in Waltham Forest by some Tory activists “if I was British" and "who I support in the World Cup". Not the London so many of us know and love. https://t.co/snR3IlDHRm
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) February 17, 2018
Labour MP Stella Creasey was left furious, calling the behaviour "anti-democratic" and called for the Conservatives to launch an investigation into what happened.
She then added how people were "shoving" the mayor to try and get their point across.
Shocked to hear that @e17tories sought to disrupt @SadiqKhan visit to chingford by jostling him and preventing him speaking to voters- hope @BrandonLewis will condemn such anti democratic behaviour? @Shereerackham & @munishce tbh I am surprised you would behave in such a way!
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) February 17, 2018
But Tory councillor for the area, Emma Best, defended her party.
How dare you tell such lies!!! Shame on you. The man that insulted you was nothing to do with us and made racially inappropriate comments to our Muslim activists after you had left. Withdraw immediately! And yes goes without saying his comments disgusting.
— Cllr Emma Best (@emmabest22) February 17, 2018
Meanwhile, during the visit, campaigner Nancy Taafe, pushed her way through to hand Khan a letter from Save Walthamstow Town Centre, demanding her overturn planning permission for a huge tower block in the town centre.
From housing to transport to supporting local businesses and cleaning up our air - positive response from local residents in Chingford this afternoon ahead of the local elections in a May. #LabourDoorstep @cwg_labour pic.twitter.com/ya47Tl0jbD
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) February 17, 2018
Meanwhile, the Labour Mayor discussed a number of issues with concerned residents, from housing support to local businesses and air pollution.
"A positive response," he said later.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel