‘If you’re worried about your neighbours, call the police’: London Mayor Sadiq Khan takes apparent dig at predecessor Boris Johnson as he retweets post by domestic violence charity after Carrie Symonds row
- Police called to house where Mr Johnson is living with Carrie Symonds on Friday
- Tweet was posted yesterday when incident was still dominating news agenda
- Critics accused him of using the issue to aim a jibe at his rival Mr Johnson
Published: 20:23 EDT, 24 June 2019 | Updated: 03:21 EDT, 25 June 2019
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has aimed an apparent dig at his predecessor Boris Johnson by urging his Twitter followers to call the police if they are concerned their neighbours could be at risk of domestic violence.
Police were called to the house where Mr Johnson is living with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds on Friday after neighbours heard a furious row in which plates were thrown.
Mr Khan’s tweet was posted yesterday as fallout from the incident continued to dominate the news agenda.
Sadiq Khan’s tweet was posted yesterday as fallout from the row between Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds continued to dominate the news agenda
Mr Johnson in a BBC interview yesterday and Mr Khan at a ceremony for the armed forces
He added to a post by charity SafeLives: ‘This is so important. If you’re worried about your neighbours, friends or colleagues don’t walk by.
‘Ask if they are ok, tell someone and call the police. If there is no immediate danger you can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.’
Officers knocked on Ms Symonds’ door but left shortly afterwards after deciding there was nothing to investigate.
Although many people praised Mr Khan’s tweet, others accused him of using the issue it to aim a political jibe at Mr Johnson.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Important message with a subtle addition of political gamesmanship and a self-important tweet.’
Although many people praised Mr Khan’s tweet, others accused him of using the issue it to aim a political jibe at Mr Johnson
‘DannyBoy’ wrote: ‘I really thought I couldn’t think less of @SadiqKhan. But playing politics with an issue like this, new low. Vile human being.’
And Morris Jasper added: ‘Such crass political manoeuvring! Rather than attempting to wound an ideological enemy, aiming to be our PM, you should concentrate instead on people who are literally being wounded & killed on the streets of London. If you care as much as you profess to – Focus on your one job.’
Others said Mr Khan was helping to raise awareness of the deadly scourge of domestic violence.
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