Ant Middleton has taken to social media to address the news that Reform UK has selected Laila Cunningham as its candidate to stand at the next London mayoral elections.
Mr Middleton, 45, who has publicly backed Nigel Farage's party, was thought by many to be the presumptive candidate to stand against Sadiq Khan at the next vote, but now, those hopes have been dashed.
Instead, Westminster councillor Ms Cunningham is the Reform UK representative who'll be hoping to oust Mr Khan from office in 2028.
The news was announced at a London press conference on Wednesday, with "London needs Reform" banners on display. It was also confirmed that Ms Cunningham will spearhead the party's campaign across all 32 boroughs ahead of May's local elections.
Ant Middleton has been campaigning to run as a London mayoral candidate
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Mr Farage described the upcoming council elections as the "single most significant" electoral test before the next general election.
"We view what will happen in London on May 7 as the precursor to us taking on Khan in 2027, and we're going to fight fully with the intention of winning the London mayoralty," Mr Farage declared.
He praised Ms Cunningham as "passionate, articulate, a mother" who had demonstrated her commitment during her time with the party.
Following the announcement, Mr Middleton responded on X, and while he refused to address Ms Cunningham directly, he insisted the most important thing was to restore London to its former glory.
Nigel Farage announced Laila Cunningham's candidacy on Wednesday
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Ant Middleton responded to the news on X
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The former SAS: Who Dares Win instructor penned: "Preservation of British Cultural, faith and traditions along with the safety and security of London and Londoners is an absolute priority for London for it to become ‘once again’ the leading capital of the world.
"People visit London to see England at its finest. Once the most respected, advanced and most innovative country to ever exist.
"Let’s get it back to that. Starting with our crown jewel of a Capital!" (sic)
Meanwhile, Ms Cunningham decided to use her speech following the announcement to take direct aim at Labour Mayor Mr Khan's record, promising a fundamentally different approach to policing the capital.
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Reform UK councillor Laila Cunningham speaks after it was announced that she will be the party’s candidate for Mayor of London | GETTY"There will be a new sheriff in town, and I'll be launching an all-out war on crime," she told reporters.
The Westminster councillor outlined her priorities for the Metropolitan Police, stating: "I will set clear, high-level priorities for the Met to focus on tackling knife crime, drugs, robbery, shoplifting, rape."
She pledged to rewrite the London police and crime plan and issue "new marching orders" to officers to "tackle crime that matters."
Ms Cunningham also committed to "targeting, hunting and prosecuting rape gangs in London."
Ant Middleton shot to fame on SAS: Who Dares Wins
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On transport policy, the mayoral candidate vowed to abolish the ultra-low emission zone. "I'd scrap Ulez, because I don't think a war on motorists helps anyone," she said.
Ms Cunningham, who represents Lancaster Gate ward, switched from the Conservatives to Reform in June 2025, citing her desire to champion "lower taxes, controlled borders, and putting Britain first."
The former senior crown prosecutor was born in London to Egyptian parents who arrived in Britain during the 1960s and is a practising Muslim.
She is raising seven children in the capital, which she described as "seven reasons why I want to do this."
Laila Cunningham will challenge Sadiq Khan
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Mr Farage noted that Ms Cunningham had "given up a very successful, well-paid job to do this full time."
The candidate spoke of her personal experience with crime, recounting how she tracked down balaclava-wearing muggers who targeted her children after police failed to assist.
"I protected my family when the state couldn't, the press called me vigilante mum, but I should never have been put in that position," she said.
A source close to the mayor responded by highlighting Khan's achievements, stating: "Sadiq is getting on with the job of delivering a fairer, safer, greener city for every Londoner."
The source pointed to record-low homicide figures, unprecedented council home construction, and a 27 per cent reduction in harmful air pollution under Mr Khan's leadership.
They also noted the mayor had provided 100 million free school meals for state primary pupils to help families with living costs.