The taxpayer has fronted tens of thousands for Sadiq Khan to host African businesses in City Hall after he flew to African countries last year for a ‘trade mission.’ Could all of this have been a Zoom call?Khan travelled to Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa with eleven staff last year at a cost of over £80,000 and earlier this year hosted a summit to bring “together investors, entrepreneurs and businesses from London and Africa to showcase London, strengthen opportunities for both inward investment and outward expansion, and underline London’s commitment to one of the world’s most important long-term growth regions”. The Mayor’s office said:
“The final costs of the London-Africa Business Summit are still being reconciled, but are expected to total around £28,000. These costs covered catering, production, and BSL interpretation and palantypists. No costs were incurred for travel, staffing or security.”
London taxpayers – who have shelled out over £100,000 on Khan’s Africa stunts – have yet to find out if Khan wants to run for mayor again. Crossing their fingers…
Burnham confirms he spoke to Trump last night about drilling in the North Sea:
“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here. There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president…”