Heckler thrown out of Sadiq Khan event for asking ‘do black people breathe more air?’

A heckler was removed from a mayoral event after arguing with Sadiq Khan about air pollution’s impact on black Londoners and shouting “you’re a shirker” at the politician.

During a People’s Question Time event in Woodford Green, Redbridge last night (Wednesday, November 2) a man was ejected from the hall after a row broke out.

The heckler, a white male dressed in a blue hoodie, was asked to leave the hall by chairman Keith Prince after he asked the mayor whether black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners “breathe more air” during a response to a question on air pollution.

A City Hall study recently found black, African and Caribbean Londoners receive 15.3% of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure above EU limits, but are just 13.3% of the city’s population.

Mayor Khan said: “It’s black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners who are most likely to suffer the worst consequences. The reason black Londoners suffer worse consequences is they live in poorer areas.”

Before being asked to leave, the heckler, who appeared to be in his 30s, with long brown hair in a bun, in light blue jeans and a black T-shirt responded: “Do they breathe more air?”

Chairman Keith Prince, Conservative assembly member, asked the man to stop but said his interjections were “amusing”, before the heckler then added: “All my neighbours are black.”

He was then escorted out of the venue, Sir James Hawkey Hall, in east London, by security, and was seen shouting at Sadiq Khan as he exited: “You’re a shirker.”

After his removal, another audience member began demanding why people weren’t being allowed to ask enough questions of the mayor and London assembly members on the stage.

He said: “What’s the point of us coming? You’re just letting them talk… excuse after excuse.”

Later in the evening another heckler was removed from the hall, after a member of the public accused Mr Prince of pre-selecting questions he wanted asked.

The initial heckling incident broke out while the mayor was answering questions on air quality, tree planting and polluted schools.

Sadiq Khan told residents: “For those colleagues who are not aware of how dangerous the air in our city is, every year there are more than 4,000 premature deaths because of air pollution.

“You can’t see it - its particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide.

“There are children with stunted lungs forever because of the poison in our air. There are adults with a host of health issues from asthma to cancer, from dementia to heart disease.”

He added: “In central London we introduced the world’s first ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) and the Conservatives in the Assembly opposed that. Many people in central London opposed that.

“We consulted and explained the health benefits. In a short space of time we have reduced by 50% the amount of poison in the air in central London. That’s saving lives.

“We expanded to inner London up to the North and South Circular and saw a further reduction of 20% in nitrogen dioxide and that means 4m people breathing cleaner air.

“I think clean air is a human right. Here’s the crux of the matter - the poorest Londoners who are least likely to own a car suffer the worst consequences.

“They’re breathing in the poison that cars are polluting out. It’s black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners who are most likely to suffer the worst consequences.”

Mr Khan, who was seen shaking his head at the interruption, added: “It’s not amusing. It’s because black Londoners live in poorer areas where the air is worse.

“It’s not a laughing matter, Keith. Take it seriously. I’m not playing to the gallery.

“The reason black Londoners suffer worse consequences is they live in poorer areas - thats why.”

The study, commissioned by the mayor, found the proportion of white and Asian Londoners exposed to dangerous NO2 levels is less than the fraction of the population they account for.

Boroughs including Lambeth and Hackney had both high pollution and more black residents.

Research has previously demonstrated the link between poorer areas and worse air pollution - but the City Hall study was one of the first to indicate a racial equality dimension.

The event was held amid ongoing controversy over the introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods across the capital, which cycling and environmental campaigners support, and drivers groups and some local residents firmly oppose.

Mayor Khan has also been criticised for plans to expand the ULEZ to cover Greater London. Conservative assembly members are demanding he call off the plans and have backed claims a Transport for London (TfL) consultation of being misleading, as reported by the Telegraph.

The mayor has said no decision can be made until the consultation report and TfL’s reccomendations are complete - but he has hinted he hasn’t ruled out a delay to bringing in the policy.