THE MET POLICE, SADIQ KHAN, AND THE LAW THAT ONLY APPLIES TO SOME

How It Started

On 10 October 2025, London Mayor Sadiq Khan gave a live Sky News interview defending the chant 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' as not antisemitic. Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly contradicted him six days later. I wrote to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner requesting an investigation under section 18 of the Public Order Act 1986. The MPS declined, citing legal advice.

What the FOIA Trail Revealed

Through a Freedom of Information request (ref 01/FOI/25/049201/E), I established that the MPS had obtained no specific legal advice for the investigating officer A/DCI Chris Rudd's decision not to investigate Sadiq Khan's October 2025 statements. The officer relied on pre-existing general advice. The MPS had itself recorded a non-crime hate incident (ref 01/8225922/25)

acknowledging a hate element in the Mayor's remarks — yet still declined to investigate, without seeking fresh advice.

My first FOIA request was ignored beyond the statutory 20-working-day deadline — a breach the MPS later acknowledged. A second request in March 2026 seeking the substance of that pre-existing advice was refused entirely on 21 April 2026. I am now at the Information Commissioner's Office under section 50 FOIA.

Why the Refusal Is Wrong

The MPS cited personal data and legal privilege. Neither stands up. On personal data: simple redaction of names would have allowed substantive disclosure. On privilege: this is a qualified exemption requiring a public interest test. The MPS failed to weigh the exceptional public interest — including the structural conflict of interest created by the Mayor's statutory role as the MPS's own Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Conduct Complaint

A formal conduct complaint about A/DCI Rudd's decision (ref PC/13271-25) is under active investigation by Sgt Stuart Shaw of the Professional Standards Unit. As of 21 April 2026, his report is being written. The outcome will be published here.

The Wider Pattern

The same MPS that recorded a hate incident regarding the Mayor's remarks and then declined to investigate has in other cases arrested Christian street preachers on anonymous complaints and recorded non-crime hate incidents for tweets. Antisemitic incidents in London have risen by over 1,300% since October 2023. The inconsistency is not subtle.

What Happens Next

• ICO complaint seeking disclosure of the legal advice relied upon.

• Awaiting Sgt Shaw's report and the Appropriate Authority's determination.

• Parliamentary questions through Huntingdon MP, Ben Obese-Jecty.

I will publish all updates here.

If you share these concerns, please write to your MP, to the Home Secretary, and to the ICO.