Sadiq Khan DEFENDS EU-themed New Year's Day fireworks after fury at 'betrayal'
LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has defended his £2.3million New Year’s fireworks display after he was accused of “politicising” the show by turning the London Eye into an EU flag.
Brexit: Former MEP rages over Sadiq Khan's EU fireworks display
The Labour mayor insisted the pro-EU extravaganza, funded by the taxpayer, was an “opportunity for us to celebrate the contribution made to our city by Europeans”. Remainer Mr Khan sparked fury across Britain when he chose to celebrate the capital’s “close relationship with Europe” during the traditional fireworks display, with outraged Britons branding the demonstration a “disgraceful ploy”. Just two minutes into the new year, Mr Khan announced “London is open” which was repeated in a range of different languages, including German, Italian, Polish, French, Romanian and Spanish.
A 11-minute soundtrack also featured a range of different songs by European artists including Stay and Don’t Leave me Alone and We are Your Friends accompanied the fireworks displayed.
The London Eye was even lit up to resemble a 443-ft EU flag, using blue and yellow fireworks when the clock struck midnight.
Mr Khan accused Westminster politicians of giving “the impression we’re insular, inward looking, not welcoming to Europeans” and the display would show the world “while they’re watching us, that we’re going to carry on being open-minded, outward looking, pluralistic” after the UK exits the EU.
Defending his decision on Twitter, Mr Khan wrote: Our spectacular #LondonNYE fireworks showed that whatever the outcome of Brexit - #LondonIsOpen - to business, talent, ideas & creativity - and why London really is the greatest city in the world.”
As we bring 2019 it’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the contribution made to our city by Europeans
The London Mayor told Sky News: “As we bring 2019 it’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the contribution made to our city by Europeans.
“Here in London we have more than a million Londoners who are EU citizens and we should reflect on that.”
Roughly 100,000 people gathered along the Thames to watch the show and millions more saw it broadcasted by the BBC.
But disappointed viewers quickly accused Mr Khan of “ruining” the yearly display by turning it into a Remain-backing show.
Twitter user Dominic McGinty wrote: “Disgraceful ploy at London fireworks tonight.. lightning the EU flag up and not the union Jack, he needs to go.. looking forward to leaving babylon... God bless Brexit Britain.”
Another social media user accused Mr Khan of using the fireworks for “political gain”, writing: “The London fireworks are a tradition now!
“Not an event for your political gain! Fancy you @SadiqKhan being a low life bringing Brexit into it!
“It's the one event that actually brings unity to the country! And you have to go and ruin it!”
Another social media user wrote: “Why has Sadiq Khan spent millions of taxpayers money on an Anti-Brexit demo masquerading as a New Year party??? #londonfireworks”
The fireworks show formed part of the Mayor’s London Is Open campaign, which aims at showing that the capital remains “open to the world, proud of our diversity and inclusive to everyone” despite Brexit, as stated on the London City Hall’s website.
It comes as EU Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt leapt to praise the firework display.
Writing on Twitter, the influential MEP said: “A powerful message.
“London will always be a European city!”
Mr Verhofstadt, also a former Belgian prime minister, signed off the gloating online post with a ‘wink’.