Sadiq Khan failed to issue an apology to victims of grooming gangs in London during a tense clash in the London Assembly with Conservative GLA member Susan Hall.
When he was pressed to issue an apology, the London Mayor said he was "thinking about the victims and survivors who have been treated appallingly over many, many years, particularly the northern towns."
He added: "And what they want is two things. One is support, and it's important we give them a support I'll set up shortly some of the support we've given to victims of violence and child exploitation.
"But secondly, justice to be done as well, which is incredibly important, and I've led efforts to strengthen the protection of children and those women exploited by abuse and exploitation."
Ms Hall reiterated : "Would you just like to apologise to them for pretending you didn't know what these rape gangs were?"
Sir Sadiq replied: "It is really important, we're talking about incredibly serious and emotive issues, to actually clarify what is meant when it comes to grooming gangs."
The former Mayoral candidate for Kemi Badenoch's party said: "You're not doing yourself any favours here.
"Everybody knows what I was talking about, except you, it would appear, and since you're the Police and Crime Commission, that's very embarrassing for you. I didn't stop asking questions. I asked your Deputy Mayor, and never, ever got an answer, of course, from her. In the meantime, Yvette Cooper was asking all police forces in Britain to identify cases.
"On June 19, you said: 'I choose my words carefully. There are no reported cases, and also no indication of the grooming gangs that she is concerned about.'"
Sir Sadiq insisted: "It's because of my concern about people being exploited sexually that the Met Police Service embedded all the recommendations made by HMI. It has a child-first approach. We've had tens of thousands of officers and staff trained on this very issue."
In a damning rebuttal, Ms Hall hit back: "You're not doing very well on this though are you? You haven't apologised yet, unless I've missed that, on the first of July, you tell the London Assembly, none of the cases mentioned by Cooper are in London."
Keir Starmer in ANOTHER lobbying row as pressure mounts on PM to launch investigation into comms chief
Sir Keir Starmer faces fresh scrutiny over alleged conflicts of interest within Downing Street as opposition parties demand an inquiry into his communications director Tim Allan's business connections.
The Prime Minister, who campaigned on promises to restore integrity to Government, is under increasing pressure to order a Cabinet Office investigation into Mr Allan's minority ownership stake in lobbying company Strand Partners.
Questions have emerged about Allan's continued conversations with Tom Baldwin, a strategic consultant for the firm who also authored Sir Keir's biography, whilst serving in his Government role.
BBC doctored Donald Trump speech a SECOND time as US President threatens legal war
Footage of a Donald Trump speech was doctored by the BBC a second time as editorial staff ignored concerns about it.
The footage was broadcast on an episode of Newsnight in 2022, and suggested that Mr Trump was encouraging his supporters to riot, reports The Telegraph.
A former White House chief of staff accused the BBC on air of "splicing" the footage, however his concerns were ignored by Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark.
Rachel Reeves leaves London's housing market paralysed as Budget mansion tax fears sparks plan in sales
London’s premium property sector has experienced a dramatic downturn, with transactions for residences valued above £5million tumbling by 65 per cent during October.
Property analytics firm LonRes revealed the stark figures while warning of broader market weakness.
Fears Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to impose strict new property taxes in the Budget are to blame, according to experts.
Anas Sarwar says briefing wars are 'not helpful'
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar | REUTERSAnas Sarwar has said the briefing wars have "undermined" the Labour Government as he called on the party to unite ahead of next year's Holyrood elections
The Scottish Labour leader warned: "I think it has undermined the message of the Government and, particularly going into the budget period, I don’t think it’s helpful.
"I know how hard the Prime Minister is working, I know how committed he is to change the country, I know how hard the UK cabinet is working and how committed they are to change the country.
"We’ve got to make sure that we’ve got a government in Scotland that is working just as hard to change our country and in six months’ time, people have the chance to do that by getting rid of the First Minister, and only I and Scottish Labour can do that."
BBC engulfed in yet another bias scandal as Tories call for investigation into relationship with Plaid Cymru
The BBC has been engulfed in yet another scandal as the Tories have backed calls for a review into the relationship between the broadcaster and Plaid Cymru.
Links between the two have come under scrutiny in recent days, following allegations of political bias against the corporation.
BBC Wales appointed former Plaid Chief Executive Rhuanedd Richards as its Director of Programming in 2021, an editorial role.
WATCH: Rachel Reeves says 'no place' for briefing against colleagues in Government
Morgan McSweeney 'signed off' briefings that sparked briefings row
No10 Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney allegedly signed off briefings that sparked the Labour Party row - despite Sir Keir Starmer earlier saying he had been "assured" no Downing Street staff were involved.
As understood by The Telegraph, Mr McSweeney and senior communication staff at No10 had agreed to tell the media the Prime Minister would defend his post from any opposition.
Mr McSweeney has been blamed by some within Labour for the fallout from the apparent ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders.
Earlier today, Sir Keir said he was "assured" no briefing against ministers "was done from No10".
John Swinney 'open' to launching grooming gangs inquiry in Scotland
John Swinney has said he is "open" to launching a national inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.
The First Minister is under pressure to launch a nationwide probe after an alleged victim of grooming gangs wrote to him.
The SNP leader lauded the survivor’s "courage" and urged victims to go to the police.
On Wednesday, Taylor, which is not her real name, sent a letter to Mr Swinney saying she and her friends were plied with alcohol and drugs and sexually abused by at least 10 men in Glasgow.
Taylor, who was 13 at the time, said in the letter she has been "deeply disappointed" by the First Minister and Police Scotland, accusing both of dismissing her complaints.
She called for a national inquiry.
During First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood today, Mr Swinney confirmed he had received the letter.
He said: "I want to express here to Parliament my admiration for her courage to speak out on such an important and very difficult subject, and I am deeply saddened to hear of any cases of sexual abuse and, as Parliament knows, I have taken significant action during my term in office as a minister to ensure that this issue has been addressed."
Police and crime commissioners to be scrapped
Police and Crime Commissioners are set to be scrapped from 2028, it has been confirmed.
The Home Office has said removing the role would save the taxpayer at least £100million which will help fund frontline officers and cut crime.
The elected officials were first introduced in 2012 and their responsibilities include setting budgets for their police forces and appointing the most senior officer – the chief constable – for their area.
Police forces will instead be accountable to local mayors or local authorities under the new plans.
Wes Streeting refuses to discuss Labour briefing row: 'voters don't give two monkeys about Westminster village soap opera'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has refused to discuss the Labour briefing row, saying he doesn't think the public do not "give two monkeys".
Asked about the saga during a visit to the Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre in Liverpool, the Cabinet minister said: "I have no intention of revisiting yesterday’s events.
"That’s yesterday’s news and it’s Westminster bubble stuff that doesn’t mean anything to anyone."
Pressed on whether the Prime Minister would investigate the source of the attacks on him, Mr Streeting said: "No idea. Don’t care."
He added: "I don’t think voters give two monkeys about what on earth is going on in the sort of Westminster village soap opera.
"What they do care about is, if they’re on an NHS waiting list, are we getting them down?"
Wes Streeting says NHS 'on the road to recovery' as waiting list for routine hospital appointment drop
Wes Streeting has said the NHS is 'on the road to recovery'
|PA
Wes Streeting has said the NHS is "now on the road to recovery" as new figures show the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England has fallen slightly.
The overall waiting list for planned treatment rose in June, July and August but fresh data show it fell in September.
An estimated 7.39 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of September, relating to 6.24 million patients, down from 7.41 million treatments and 6.25 million patients at the end of August.
The list hit a record high in September 2023, with 7.77 million treatments and 6.50 million patients.
The Health Secretary said: "Thanks to the investment and modernisation this Government has made, waiting lists are falling and patients are being treated sooner.
"We are cutting waste to reinvest billions over the coming years in frontline care – less unnecessary bureaucracy and more services for patients.
"And at the Budget the Chancellor is protecting investment in the NHS, to rebuild after more than a decade of decline.
"The past year is the first time in 15 years that waiting lists have fallen. There’s a long way to go, but the NHS is now on the road to recovery."
Ex director of communications at No10 tells Labour to 'get a grip' amid briefing row and points to 'enemy' Nigel Farage
Alastair Campbell, who worked as director of communications at No10 for Tony Blair, said Downing Street needs to "get a grip" as Sir Keir Starmer faces a leadership row following briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Campbell said he believed the Labour Party’s strategy "isn’t going very well".
He said: "The worst thing about recent days is it’s made a relatively new government look like the last lot.
"There are bigger, worse enemies – like Nigel Farage.”
"Get a grip," he added.
WATCH: Shadow chancellor slams 'complete chaos and dysfunction' at No10
Shadow chancellor says PM and Rachel Reeves are 'in office but not in power' following latest GDP figures
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has said Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are "in office but not in power" as the latest GDP figures show UK economic growth slowed.
Sir Mel said: "Today’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show the economy shrank in the latest month, under a Prime Minister and Chancellor who are in office but not in power.
"Months after the Prime Minister stripped the Chancellor of responsibility for the Budget, Keir Starmer has now lost control of his own Downing Street operation – with his team openly at war with his Cabinet.
"If the Prime Minister does not have the backbone to control his team, he has no hope of reducing spending.
"Only the Conservatives have a leader with a backbone and a plan to deliver £47billion of savings – allowing us to cut tax and cut the deficit under our golden economic rule."
Rachel Reeves pledges 'fair decisions' will be made at Budget - despite all but admitting Labour will pedal back on manifesto promise
Rachel Reeves has pledged she will make 'fair decisions' at her next Budget
|PA
Rachel Reeves has pledges she will make "fair decisions" at the upcoming Budget - despite all but admitting Labour’s manifesto promise not to hike income tax will be ditched.
In response to the latest GDP data, the Chancellor said: "We had the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first half of the year, but there’s more to do to build an economy that works for working people.
"At my Budget later this month, I will take the fair decisions to build a strong economy that helps us to continue to cut waiting lists, cut the national debt and cut the cost of living."
UK economy grew 0.1 per cent - slower than expected in the three months to September
The economy grew at a slower rate than expected in the three months to September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
The news will come as a heavy blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the November 26 budget.
Liz McKeown, the ONS' director of economic statistics, said: "Growth slowed further in the third quarter of the year with both services and construction weaker than in the previous period.
"There was also a further contraction in production."
Economic growth was a key priority for Ms Reeves.
POLL OF THE DAY: Should there be a General Election if Labour MPs oust Keir Starmer?
Keir Starmer could face a fresh General Election if mutinous Labour MPs pull off a coup
|GETTY
Today's top story sees Sir Keir Starmer potentially facing a fresh General Election if mutinous Labour MPs pull off a coup, according to the PM's allies.
Now, GB News is asking members: Should there be a General Election if Labour MPs oust Keir Starmer?
Reform UK forced to contend with chilling double 'vandalism' in London and Wales
Reform UK has been forced to contend with two incidents of apparent vandalism in London and Wales.
In the capital, the words "death to Farage" were seen scrawled on a wall in Camden. GB News understands the Metropolitan Police is now looking into the matter.
While in Wales, a Reform UK wreath laid on Remembrance Sunday was vandalised just hours after local residents paid their respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
A party spokesman told Britain's News Channel last night: "Reform are clear that this sort of behaviour has no place in our politics, but many other parties have not been vocal enough in calling this out.
"We all have a duty to ensure that politics is a battle of ideas."
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'Death threat' graffiti directed at Nigel Farage spotted in London
Keir Starmer now says SORRY to Wes Streeting just 24 hours after frenzied No10 'briefing war' broke out
Sir Keir Starmer has said sorry to Wes Streeting just 24 hours after a frenzied "briefing war" broke out at the heart of No10.
The PM is set to investigate the source of the accusations that the Health Secretary was mounting a coup to become Labour leader, party chairwoman Anna Turley said last night.
She added that Sir Keir will "take action" to prevent future attacks taking place.
Mr Streeting had earlier condemned the "toxic culture" inside Downing Street and questioned whether the PM's long-time ally and chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, should keep his job.
Sir Keir eventually admitted the hostile briefings against his own Health Secretary were "completely unacceptable", then moved to ease relations with him directly.
According to a No10 source, the PM "briefly" spoke with Mr Streeting directly on Wednesday evening to apologise.
It is understood the pair did not talk about Mr McSweeney - but agreed to talk again soon.
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