“But on behalf of all Londoners, I am demanding more autonomy for the capital – right now”, he told a conference organized by The Times in London.
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“Because when London succeeds, the rest of the country succeeds too”, he added.
Khan was one of the Labour party’s most prominent Remain campaigners in the run up to the referendum, frequently extolling the merits of the European Union alongside other In campaigners from across the political spectrum, including outgoing prime minister David Cameron.
“We can’t hang around for the outcome of the negotiations before we give Londoners more control”, he said. London businesses are absolutely clear this is critical to protecting jobs and prosperity, not just in the capital but across the whole of the UK.
City Hall said the mayor was looking for the devolution of fiscal responsibility, including tax raising powers, as well as more control over business and skills, housing and planning, transport, health and policing and criminal justice.
“I’m assembling a priority list of what London demands from any exit negotiations and passporting rights, access to the single market and visas are right at the very top of this list”.
Pressed on the point that Jews in London could begin to feel scared by the growing reports of xenophobic attacks against eastern Europeans and ethnic minorities that had been reported across London and the rest of the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the referendum vote, the mayor was emphatic in his understanding of Jewish concerns.
Mr Khan said the government should hold off for “as long as possible” before triggering Article 50.
He said he had spent “every spare moment” since the referendum result speaking to businesses and reassuring them about London’s future and had not had time to get “involved in internal party politics”.
But it has very limited taxation powers and Khan argued the city needed to be able to spend more of what it raises.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected calls for London to secede from the rest of Britain after a national referendum in favour of leaving the European Union but said he wanted a “full seat” at any Brexit negotiations. “I think this is bad for the economy and it’s important that we stand together”.
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The mayor stressed, however, that as much as he “might like the idea of a London city state”, he wasn’t talking about independence from Britain. “I am not planning to install border points on the M25”, Khan said.
