Sir Sadiq Khan has called for the axing of Britain's largest arms fair due to it offending asylum seekers and being "inappropriate" during Israel's Gaza campaign.
London's Mayor took aim at the DSEI event from September 9 to 12, saying the capital should not be used as a "marketplace for those who wish to trade in weapons".
Sir Sadiq said the city was "home to thousands of people who have fled conflict and suffered as a result of weapons like those exhibited at this event".
The Mayor's intervention was dismissed as defence industry insiders argued they were helping protect people under "ceaseless attack from our enemies".
The UK Government has barred Israeli officials from attending the event after growing concerns over the way Israeli is conducting itself in Gaza.
A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: "the Mayor is completely opposed to this event taking place in London."
"(He) is appalled that the capital is being used as a marketplace for those who wish to trade in weapons," the spokesman added.
"The Mayor has previously written to both the organisers and ExCel to remind them that London is home to thousands of people who have fled conflict and suffered as a result of weapons like those exhibited at this event – and continues to urge them to reconsider hosting the fair in London in the future."
Sadiq Khan
| GB NewsThe spokesman said that the event was "inappropriate given Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza".
However, a defence industry insider told the Daily Mail: "It's just another boring Sadiq intervention on major national issues while he refuses to address concerns in London.
"While knife crime in London has risen by 54 per cent since he's taken office, he's decided to focus on the people who are working day-in-day-out ... ensuring the lives of Ukranians and other allies who are under ceaseless attack from our enemies are protected from meaningless violence."
Defence analyst Francis Tusa also told ITV News that it was "two years after the last show".
During the 2023 DSEI event in London
|GETTY
"He said pretty much the same thing last time," Mr Tusa said.
"So it's a stuck record, a bit of student politicking. Not very serious."
Mr Tusa said it was Mr Khan "showing his naivety".
"If he talks about refugees and wars he should go and speak to some of the Ukrainian refugees who are in London and ask them whether we should be spending more on defence equipment, especially to provide to Ukraine," he added.
"I think he will get a very robust answer."
The Government's decision to ban Israeli officials from DSEI last week does not cover Israeli defence contractor representatives - who will be allowed to attend the event.
"The Israeli Government's decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong," the UK Government said in a statement.
"As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025."
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan faced criticism over the move
| GETTYSir Keir Starmer announced plans last month to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel takes steps to end the crisis in Gaza, agrees to a ceasefire and commits to a long-term peace agreement.
The UK previously banned sales of any arms that could be used in Gaza to Israel.
However, Israel's Defense Ministry said the decision "serves extremists".
"These restrictions amount to a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination against Israel's representatives," the Ministry said.