Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list after securing an unprecedented third term in office.
Sir Sadiq, the son of Pakistani immigrants and a former human rights lawyer, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am truly humbled. Growing up on a council estate in south London, I could never have imagined becoming mayor of this great city. Serving London is the honour of my life, and I will continue working to build a fairer, safer, greener, and more prosperous future for all its communities.”
Born and raised in Tooting, South London, Sir Sadiq entered Parliament as the MP for his hometown in 2005. He served as a junior minister under Gordon Brown and as shadow justice secretary under Ed Miliband before transitioning to local governance.
In 2016, he became the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city, defeating Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith to succeed Boris Johnson. Since then, he has won two additional terms, with a historic third victory in May 2024.
As mayor, Sir Sadiq has focused on improving London’s transport infrastructure, including the introduction of named and colour-coded Overground railway lines.
His global profile was further elevated through his outspoken criticism of former US President Donald Trump. The longstanding feud began in 2015 when Sir Sadiq condemned Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Over the years, the two exchanged pointed remarks, with Sir Sadiq consistently defending London’s values of inclusivity and tolerance.
Sir Sadiq’s knighthood comes as recognition for his contributions to London and his dedication to public service.
