A heated debate erupted on GB News over Sadiq Khan's recent knighthood, with Reform MP Lee Anderson dramatically holding his head in his hands as former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle defended the London Mayor's record.
The discussion grew increasingly tense as Russell-Moyle declared Khan "the most successful Mayor electorally" in London's history, prompting Lee to repeatedly exclaim "Dear oh dear" whilst clutching his head in disbelief.
Political commentator Emma Woolf joined the fray, launching a scathing attack on the honour and questioning Khan's achievements.
The debate highlighted deep divisions over the knighthood, which was awarded by King Charles III for political and public service despite a petition with 220,000 signatures opposing it.
Lee Anderson could not believe what he was hearing
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Russell-Moyle argued on the programme: "He is the most successful Mayor electorally. You can agree or disagree on policies but he is the most successful electorally in London ever."
He continued: "If you go back even further, he is the longest serving London leader. He clearly wins a large mandate every time."
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The former Labour MP added: "He may rub one or two people up the wrong way, but I don't want bland politicians that are only triangulating all the time.
"I want politicians that are committed to expanding transport links across the city."
Lee Anderson listened to Russell-Moyle's argument in shock
GB NEWS
As Russell-Moyle praised Khan's vision for keeping "London open for all", Anderson's theatrical response intensified, with the Reform MP repeatedly muttering "Dear oh dear" whilst holding his head in his hands.
Woolf launched a fierce critique of the knighthood, declaring: "If this doesn't discredit our honours system, I don't know what does."
She questioned Khan's achievements, stating: "Did you see the way he said that about the King dropping in to personally knight him? More hubris from Sadiq Khan and for what? What has he been knighted for?"
The political commentator cited crime statistics, claiming: "He's turned London into stab city. Gun crime is up 31 per cent in the last 12 months. He has wrecked our roads."
The panel disagreed on the matter
GB NEWS
Woolf also criticised Khan's transport policies, adding: "He has introduced, without consultation, Ulez, which has been expanded across London."
She accused the Mayor of displaying a "lack of humility" in his response to the honour.
Khan received his knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, with the 53-year-old Mayor describing it as a "truly humbling moment" for himself and his family.
The son of a bus driver and seamstress who grew up on a council estate in Tooting, Khan became London's first Muslim mayor in 2016.
He posted on X: "Growing up on a council estate in Tooting, I never imagined I'd one day receive this great honor while serving as Mayor."
Khan claimed the King "actually apologised for it taking so long" to knight him. The honour was announced in the New Year Honours list but faced significant opposition, including a petition claiming London had become "divided and stagnant" under his leadership.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Londoners would be "rightly furious his track record of failure is being rewarded".
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