The Diary of a CEOSadiq Khan: The Dark Side Of The Police. How Safe Are We REALLY? | E216
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 4:20
Opening, Gratitude and Introduction to Sadiq Khan
Steven Bartlett opens with a heartfelt thanks to listeners and asks them to subscribe, explaining how audience support shapes the calibre of guests. He then introduces Sadiq Khan as London’s first Muslim mayor, highlighting his controversial profile and posing the central question of how safe London really is.
- •Bartlett describes the podcast’s growth and asks viewers to subscribe to influence future guests and content.
- •Sadiq Khan is framed as a historic and polarising figure: London’s first Muslim mayor with powerful opponents.
- •The conversation is positioned around safety in London, policing failures, and Khan’s track record.
- 4:20 – 13:50
Immigrant Roots and Growing Up in South London
Khan traces his family story from pre-partition India to Pakistan and then to London, describing how his parents lost everything, migrated twice, and built a life in a South London council flat with eight children. He reflects on feeling 'privileged' despite poverty, internalising a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility to give back.
- •Family history: grandparents fled sectarian violence during partition; parents rebuilt in Pakistan then moved to London.
- •Father worked as a bus driver after Pakistani Air Force service; mother also worked; signs of racism like 'No Blacks, no Irish, no dogs.'
- •Khan grew up in a crowded council flat in Tooting, within a one‑mile radius he still lives in.
- •Parents framed their situation as 'privileged,' instilling duty to work hard, respect teachers, and avoid 'shirking.'
- •All siblings have pursued service-oriented roles (coaching, teaching, politics) rather than wealth-maximising careers.
- 13:50 – 28:30
Work Ethic, Dark Side, and Seven-Day Leadership
Bartlett probes what differentiates Khan from 'the average person,' including his inability to switch off and the potential downsides of relentless drive. Khan defends his seven-day schedule as a response to the finite nature of his mandate, while acknowledging sacrifices made by his family and the importance of keeping home life normal.
- •Khan admits he struggles with downtime, mirroring his father’s constant activity and weekend outings.
- •He tells staff they have a finite number of days before the next election and must 'maximize every single day' to deliver.
- •He frames the mayoralty as a privilege that might end at any election; time in power is not guaranteed.
- •Family integration strategies: sharing his diary with his wife, scheduling who is home to walk the dog, bringing family to events.
- •He acknowledges work-life balance friction mainly around missed family events, and notes many political marriages end.
- •Khan argues you can do the job lazily—'the previous guy' allegedly worked three days—but he chooses not to.
- 28:30 – 40:30
From Human Rights Lawyer to MP for Tooting
Khan explains leaving a lucrative legal practice to stand as MP for his home constituency, Tooting. Motivated by witnessing injustice—from police misconduct to workplace discrimination and his father’s treatment at the bus garage—he sought a role where he could change laws systemically rather than just case by case.
- •Ran a successful law firm growing from 8 to 50 employees; specialised in discrimination, police misconduct, and miscarriages of justice.
- •Influenced by Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and TV’s LA Law; wanted to be an advocate for the 'underdog.'
- •Cited helplessness watching his father’s garage close and friends suffer stop-and-search and unfair dismissals.
- •Saw Parliament as a place to impact 'millions' through legislation rather than just clients through precedents.
- •Insists his and his siblings’ career choices were driven by public service, not money.
- 40:30 – 54:40
Is London Getting Less Safe? Crime, Austerity and Public Health
Bartlett argues London feels less safe and cites burglary, robberies of celebrities, and friends leaving the UK partly over safety concerns. Khan responds with data showing some serious crimes have fallen in London relative to national trends but concedes that austerity-driven cuts to policing and youth services have fuelled violence since 2013, pushing his public health approach to crime.
- •Bartlett compares London unfavourably with cities like Dubai and Bali based on lived experiences of burglary and street theft.
- •Khan emphasises London’s strength as a global city in investment, tourism, and economic diversity but accepts serious violence has risen nationally since 2013.
- •He attributes part of the rise to 21,000 fewer police officers nationwide, youth club closures, and social deprivation.
- •Introduces his 'public health approach': more police plus tackling root causes like poverty and alienation.
- •As Mayor he raised council tax and used business rates to fund 1,300 extra officers and reopen youth/youth worker programmes.
- •Claims London has 'bucked the national trend' with reductions in homicides, knife crime, gun crime, teenage homicides, and burglary versus rising national figures.
- •Acknowledges robbery has recently risen again and that progress is incomplete.
- 54:40 – 1:04:40
Knife Crime, Fear, and Changing Youth Culture
Using the story of murdered teenager Hazrat Wali, Bartlett and Khan explore how fear drives young people to carry knives, perpetuating violence. Khan details school outreach, using credible messengers like bereaved mothers, and intelligence-led stop and search to deter carrying, while highlighting the importance of mentors and 'soft skills' in diverting youth from crime.
- •Khan describes a 'belief among young people that carrying a knife makes you more safe, not less safe.'
- •He notes that in primary schools many children know someone carrying a knife, a stark change from his own school days.
- •Actions: school talks, especially by bereaved parents; mentors for tens of thousands of young people; expansion of youth work.
- •Supports intelligence-led stop and search and weapon sweeps to remove knives, with strong sentencing as a deterrent.
- •Reports a 55% reduction in teenage homicides over the last year and continued falls since he became mayor, while stressing 'one is one too many.'
- •Argues role models and mentors are vital, as many young people lack positive examples at home.
- 1:04:40 – 1:09:10
Perception of Safety vs Reality; Gendered Fear in the City
Bartlett contrasts London’s atmosphere with very low-crime environments he’s visited, saying he just wants to 'feel really safe.' Khan replies that for policy he must compare London to peer global cities like New York, but concedes that if women and girls feel unsafe enough to self-impose curfews, then London is not truly safe, regardless of statistics.
- •Bartlett stresses that despite improvements on paper, ordinary Londoners do not feel safe—highlighting frequent phone snatches and moped robberies.
- •Khan adopts Bartlett’s frame: 'If you don’t feel it’s safe, it’s not safe.'
- •He emphasises that fear of crime, particularly among women, is a major challenge; many women restrict their movements at night.
- •Distinguishes between comparing London to global peers versus holiday destinations and authoritarian states.
- •Reiterates intent to address both objective crime levels and subjective fear.
- 1:09:10 – 1:47:00
Met Police, Violence Against Women, and Institutional Reform
Following high-profile murders of women by serving officers, Khan argues the Met has deep cultural and systemic problems. He details why he lost confidence in the previous Commissioner, what reforms the new leadership is pursuing, and how external scrutiny and rule changes are essential to rebuild trust.
- •Raises the statistic that every three days in the UK a woman is killed by a man.
- •Discusses the Sarah Everard murder and David Carrick’s decades of offending as emblematic failures of vetting and internal accountability.
- •Khan says he was 'criticised' for asserting there are systemic cultural issues, not just isolated 'bad apples.'
- •He pressured out the former Commissioner over lack of credible plans to reform and regain public confidence.
- •Commissioned Baroness Louise Casey’s independent review; the Met has accepted interim findings and awaits final recommendations.
- •Calls current disciplinary rules too weak, preventing easy removal of 'dodgy officers'; he is lobbying government for regulatory change.
- •City Hall is funding improved vetting, a dedicated anti-abuse and corruption unit, and confidential hotlines for officers and the public.
- 1:47:00 – 1:57:40
Grenfell, Terror Attacks and the Emotional Toll of Office
Khan recalls 2017 as his hardest year, with the Grenfell Tower fire and multiple terror attacks in London. He describes the searing memory of Grenfell, his commitment to bereaved families, and the carefully drilled but emotionally constrained role he must play during unfolding terror incidents.
- •Grenfell remains a visceral memory: 'I still remember the images. I still remember the heat.'
- •He attended many funerals and continues to meet families, haunted by stories such as entire families wiped out.
- •That summer also included attacks at London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, and Finsbury Park.
- •Khan explains pre-planned protocols for 'marauding terrorist' incidents and his responsibility to avoid panic or fuelling terrorists’ goals.
- •In real time he strives to suppress emotion, make rational operational decisions, and reassure communities—including preventing reprisals against Muslims.
- 1:57:40 – 2:06:40
Trump, Islamophobia, and Being Britain’s Most Visible Muslim
Khan and Bartlett discuss Donald Trump’s public attacks on him after London terror incidents and how Khan’s Muslim identity shapes media coverage, far-right hostility, and even terrorist manifestos. Khan argues his 2016 election victory, despite an Islamophobic campaign against him, sent a vital signal that London embraces diversity.
- •Khan calls Trump’s behaviour 'odd' given the usual solidarity between allied leaders after terror attacks.
- •He believes Trump targeted him partly because of his faith and background: 'If the mayor of London wasn’t somebody of my background, my faith, he wouldn’t have responded the way he did.'
- •Notes that the Christchurch and Finsbury Park terrorists referenced him, underscoring how rhetoric can radicalise.
- •Recalls his first mayoral campaign where opponents invoked his Muslim faith and alleged 'links with terrorism.'
- •Says his win was symbolically crucial so minorities could see it is possible to lead London despite prejudice.
- •He details widespread islamophobic abuse and death threats online, with mainstream outlets sometimes using his name as 'clickbait.'
- 2:06:40 – 2:18:00
Threats, Online Hate and the Hidden Cost to Staff and Family
Bartlett presses Khan on the personal impact of constant racist abuse and death threats. Khan admits there have been times he feared for his safety, now has police protection, and is more concerned about the psychological toll on his family and City Hall staff who must process hate mail.
- •Khan resisted police protection for a year before accepting it due to risks to his family and staff.
- •Protection restricts spontaneity but he asks his team to keep a distance so he still feels like a 'normal Joe.'
- •He acknowledges specific frightening incidents but refuses to describe them publicly to avoid gratifying perpetrators.
- •City Hall staff now need support systems to cope with abusive emails and letters unlike previous mayors’ teams.
- •Khan condemns social media platforms’ algorithms for amplifying hate and calls for better moderation and enforcement.
- •He insists he will 'not cower' or let abusers know they’ve affected him, while conceding the issue is widespread, especially impacting school-age girls and Black children online.
- 2:18:00 – 2:24:40
COVID, Mental Health and the Need for Social Contact
Khan recounts how the COVID lockdowns undermined his mental health, revealing how much he relies on being around people and playing sport. Only in hindsight did he recognise that stopping shaving, living in joggers, and losing his 'mojo' were signs he’d lost key routines that supported his 'mental fitness.'
- •Despite a comfortable home, garden, and close family, Khan felt off-balance during lockdown.
- •Signs included reduced communication, informal dress, and lack of energy or inspiration for his team.
- •He realised he thrives on in-person contact—commuting, office banter, team meetings—and regular sport (tennis, football, running).
- •He reframed these as essential to mental health, not just physical fitness or habit.
- •Concludes he cannot work from home indefinitely and must deliberately maintain routines that support wellbeing.
- 2:24:40 – 2:38:30
Limits of Honesty, Political 'Game' and Labour’s Position
When asked where he has failed as mayor, Khan half-jokes he can’t answer honestly because opponents would weaponise it. The exchange opens a broader discussion about political inauthenticity, collective responsibility, Labour’s strategy under Keir Starmer, and the tension between rational policy detail and emotional campaigning.
- •Khan admits overworking and 'trying to run a marathon as a sprint' is a personal mistake.
- •Substantive regret: failing to secure more devolved powers and resources for London, partly due to his adversarial approach with central government.
- •Explains that serving ministers are constrained by 'collective responsibility' and must publicly back agreed Cabinet lines even if privately opposed.
- •He is willing to disagree publicly on some issues, e.g., calling Brexit an 'unmitigated disaster' and advocating closer EU ties than Labour’s official stance.
- •On Labour’s weaknesses, he notes public frustration at lack of detailed policies but argues it is strategic to avoid peaking too early or having ideas stolen.
- •He and Bartlett debate whether voters are moved more by emotion or logic, with Khan insisting leaders must also 'educate' citizens on complex issues.
- •Quotes the adage: 'You campaign in poetry and you govern in prose,' capturing the dual demands of emotional connection and competent management.
- 2:38:30 – 2:50:40
Achievements, Net Zero 2030 and Future Priorities for London
Khan outlines what he’s most proud of—dramatically improved air quality, record affordable housing starts, and major transport projects—then sets out his priorities if re-elected: fairness, safety, green transition and prosperity. He defends ambitious net-zero targets and insists they are achievable with greater national support.
- •Air quality: claims a 50% reduction in toxic air in central London in two years and thousands of avoided premature deaths.
- •Housing: says London is delivering more homes, council homes, and 'genuinely affordable' homes than at any time since the 1930s–70s, though still far short of need.
- •Transport: cites freezing fares for five years, the Night Tube, more bus routes, the Elizabeth Line, Northern line and Barking Riverside extensions.
- •Mentoring: 100,000 young Londoners now have mentors; target to reach 100k more in coming years.
- •Future vision: a fairer, safer, greener, more prosperous city; addressing both crime stats and perceptions of safety.
- •Climate: moved London’s net-zero target from 2050 to 2030; says roughly one-third of required powers are devolved, with the rest dependent on central government and a hoped-for Labour administration.
- 2:50:40 – 3:04:40
Regrets, Grief, and Advice to His Younger Self
In a more intimate close, Khan talks about his father’s death and unspoken words, regrets about time with family, and limited travel beyond London. Asked what advice he’d give his younger self, he says 'enjoy the experience,' noting that ambition often crowds out savouring life’s moments and sharing them with loved ones.
- •Regrets: working seven days a week at the expense of family time; not seeing enough of the world beyond brief trips; losing his father when he was 33.
- •His father, a bus driver and mosque muezzin, remains a powerful moral influence; Khan still grieves and believes grief 'should' debilitate to some extent.
- •He used work—including running for Labour candidacy—as a coping mechanism after his father’s death, and now is more 'touchy feely' with siblings and children.
- •Declines to share the exact unsaid words to his father, calling them private.
- •Final advice to his younger self: 'Enjoy the experience,' meaning to be present and savour achievements rather than constantly chasing the next goal.
- •He tries to include his wife and daughters more in mayoral life so they also 'enjoy the experience.'
- 3:04:40
Closing Reflections on Role Models, Representation and Work Ethic
The episode ends with mutual appreciation: Bartlett reflects on why he admires Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders and sees similar public-service motivations in Khan. Khan in turn underscores the importance of role models like Bartlett for young, diverse Londoners and stresses that there should be 'many others like you' climbing the ladder, not just one.
- •Bartlett expresses dissatisfaction with politics generally but sees authenticity and moral clarity in figures like Obama, Sanders, and, to some extent, Khan.
- •Khan highlights the symbolic importance of being a minority mayor and of public figures who 'put down ladders for others.'
- •He praises Bartlett’s work ethic and relatability for young people who share his background, stressing there are 'not many people in your position who look like you.'
- •Khan worries young people are sold 'get rich quick' myths and contrasts this with the grind behind success stories like Idris Elba, Riz Ahmed, Ed Sheeran, Adele and Stormzy.
- •Both agree representation and visible hard work are key to inspiring the next generation of leaders in politics, business and culture.
