The UK needs a Prime Minister who is ready to support London, according to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

He was speaking as the Conservative Party holds leadership elections that are set to decide Theresa May’s replacement as Prime Minister.

Speaking at a youth event at Alexandra Palace in Haringey, the Labour mayor said the best way to choose a new leader would be via a General Election.

He said: “We need the new Prime Minister to realise that London is really important for our country’s well-being.

“We need a government that’s not anti-London like the current government, but one that’s pro-London.”

Six candidates – including former London Mayor Boris Johnson – remain in the race for No. 10. Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab, Michael Gove and Rory Stewart are also in contention.

Mr Khan said the next Prime Minister “needs to work with London to make sure they address the challenges we face”.

He said a no-deal Brexit would be “catastrophic for our city” and highlighted the need for investment in affordable housing to tackle London’s “housing crisis”.

The Mayor also called for government support to help improve air quality in the capital, and to reverse the £1 billion of police cuts sustained over the last eight years.

Mr Khan said: “I think the important thing is that the British public chooses a Prime Minister rather than Brexit extremists.”