Labour’s London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan accepts anti-Semitism row could hurt his chances of getting elected
Labour's London mayoral candidate believes his chances of winning the election next week could be damaged by the anti-Semitism row that has erupted.
Sadiq Khan said he wouldn't be thrown of course by the row, but acknowledged that there could well be an electoral consequence that would damage his chances of taking City Hall, as well as harm the Labour party more widely.
The Tooting MP's comments come after MP Naz Shah and Ken Livingstone were both suspended from the party after being accused of making anti-Semitic comments.
Read more: No apology from Ken Livingstone following accusations of anti-Semitism
Speaking to the Observer, Khan said: "I accept that the comments that Ken Livingstone has made make it more difficult for Londoners of Jewish faith to feel that the Labour party is a place for them, and so I will carry on doing what I have always been doing, which is to speak for everyone.
"If I should have the privilege to be the mayor I will show Londoners the sort of mayor I can be."
Yesterday Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith said that Khan is "part of the same movement" as Livingstone.
However, he added: "I'm certainly not suggesting that Sadiq Khan is anti-Semitic – I've not made that claim."
Read more: Corbyn announces launch of new Labour Party inquiry following anti-Semitism claims
And yesterday also saw Jeremy Corbyn announce the launch of an inquiry into anti-Semitism within the Labour Party.
But despite the unrest within the Labour party, Livingstone yesterday refused to apologise for "telling the truth", adding he did not expect his conduct to have any bearing on the mayoral vote.
Londoners will turn out to vote next week to decide who will replace Boris Johnson, with Khan a heavy favourite with pollsters and bookies alike.
Meanwhile, shadow cabinet international development secretary Diane Abbot has said allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour were a "smear"
Ms Abbott, a long-time ally of the Labour leader, said allegations of an anti-Semitism problem in Labour were a "smear" against ordinary party members.
"It's something of a smear against ordinary party members to say the party has a problem with anti-Semitism," she told BBC's Andrew Marr Show.