ADDS REMARKS FROM KHAN
By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - Sadiq Khan clinched victory for a third term as the mayor of London, triumphing against his Conservative rival Susan Hall with a resounding majority.
With all 14 constituencies having declared their results, Khan emerged victorious with a comfortable lead.
The incumbent mayor secured 43.8% of the vote, compared to Hall's 33%, resulting in a commanding majority of 276,428 votes.
Khan vowed to work "tirelessly" to deliver a "fairer, safer and greener" London.
"I couldn't be more proud that we answered fearmongering with facts, hate with hope and attempts to divide with efforts to unite," he told a crowd at City Hall.
As he ascended the stage to address the crowd, Khan faced a heckle of boos and a shout of "Khan killed London" from Britain First candidate Nick Scanlon, who proceeded to walk off the stage where the candidates were assembled. Scanlon finished 10th.
Despite speculation suggesting a potential upset victory for Hall, Khan's solid performance across the capital's diverse constituencies solidified his position.
Throughout the campaign, there was anticipation surrounding voter turnout, particularly in the outer boroughs, where Conservative support traditionally holds sway.
But Khan's ability to mobilize support across a broad spectrum of demographics proved pivotal in securing his decisive win.
His success comes amid a broader electoral landscape, with results from other mayoral and local council elections rolling in.
The Conservative Party faced a challenging weekend, enduring defeats in contests across England and Wales.
Khan's journey to political prominence is marked by humble beginnings and a commitment to public service.
Born to immigrant parents from Pakistan, he grew up in a council-owned apartment, with his father working as a bus driver.
After studying law at the University of North London, Khan embarked on a career as a solicitor, specializing in human rights law. His activism often targeted issues concerning police accountability and government transparency.
Khan's political career commenced in 1994, with his election as a local Labour Party councillor in the London borough of Tooting.
Since then, he has risen through the ranks, eventually making history as London's first Muslim mayor in 2016.