Mayor Sadiq Khan Faces Criticism Over Delayed Closure of Migrant Camp in London's Park Lane

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has been criticized for the prolonged presence of a migrant tent village in Park Lane, one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods. Bailiffs began clearing the encampment early yesterday morning, but the organization overseeing London’s public transport, Transport for London (TfL), had already obtained a court order for the site’s removal in May. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp expressed dissatisfaction with the mayor’s inaction, suggesting he neglected the situation while remaining in City Hall. Philp, who visited the site recently, described Park Lane, a key destination for tourists in London, as having been transformed into a disorderly camp, due to the lack of intervention from Khan's administration.

Philp recounted troubling interactions with some of the camp's inhabitants during his visit, emphasizing the chaos and disorder the encampment brought to the area. He condemned the Labour government for weakening border enforcement and eliminating laws that previously helped police manage rough sleeping, pointing out that the situation exemplifies the failure of the current leadership. In response to inquiries about why individuals remained in the encampment, one woman mentioned that she had been sleeping on the streets and was awaiting housing after a month at the site.

Transport for London commented that they had provided ample time for individuals at the camp to collect their belongings and connect with supportive services for housing. They reiterated that rough sleeping in such a busy location poses safety concerns for everyone involved. TfL stated that after unsuccessful attempts to address the encampment last year, they had no choice but to pursue further legal action for the site’s possession to ensure the welfare of all parties involved.

Furthermore, the mayor is being accused of potentially exacerbating the situation with his plans to pedestrianize Oxford Street, raising fears among local leaders that such moves may lead to similar encampments in that area. Conservative Assembly member Susan Hall expressed concern that the initiative could attract more tents, detracting from the neighborhood’s appeal and negatively impacting the experience for visitors. She criticized Khan for failing to manage the issue effectively and warned against allowing it to escalate further.