Khan said the fair’s presence was an insult to those who had escaped gun violence
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has told the organisers of an arms fair due to take place in London this September to ‘reconsider’ their plans and that they shouldn’t return to London.
The Independent report cites letters sent to the event’s director, in which Khan said the fair’s presence in London is an insult to survivors. He also argued that the event cost too much to police and would hinder investment in the Docklands area of East London.
In 2019, the event cost £2.5 million to police and required 5,609 officers.
The Mayor, who was first elected to City Hall in 2o16, said London was “home to many people who have fled conflict and suffered as a consequence” of weapons “like those exhibited at DSEI.”
He continued: “For it to be used as a marketplace for those who wish to trade in weapons to some countries that contribute to human rights abuses goes completely against our values.”
The Defence and Security Equipment International is a fair that hosts 30,000 attendees, who can buy everything from a pistol to a tank from 1,600 different vendors.
“I strongly urge you to reconsider this year’s event and any plans you have to host future events in the city,” Khan concluded in a letter to Grant Burgham, the event’s director.
