PICTURES: Sadiq Khan Booed By Jeremy Corbyn Supporters

London Mayor Sadiq Khan was booed by supporters of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn last night after declaring his support for leadership rival Owen Smith.

Mr Corbyn held a rally of thousands of supporters in north London as he battles to hold on to the party’s leadership in an increasingly bitter leadership contest.

This weekend, Sadiq Khan announced he was backing Mr Corbyn’s rival, provoking supporters of the Labour leader to erupt in angry booing when his name was mentioned last night.

As London mayor, Mr Khan is one of the most powerful politicians in the country. He won the mayoralty in May this year, claiming City Hall back for Labour after eight years of Conservative rule under Boris Johnson.

However, the party is now deeply divided, with Mr Corbyn’s passionate supporters turning on anyone who voices dissent against the party leader.

The Huffington Post reports that Labour NEC member Claudia Webber told the gathering: “Despite what Sadiq Khan says. We won London under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership,” prompting angry jeering from the crowd.

In a piece for the Observer on Sunday, Mr Khan said Mr Corbyn did not have the qualities needed to lead the party.

“By every available measure, if Jeremy remains as leader, Labour is extremely unlikely to win the next general election,” he wrote.

“The hopes of the members who have joined our party would be dashed again. Jeremy has already proved that he is unable to organise an effective team, and has failed to win the trust and respect of the British people.

“Jeremy’s personal ratings are the worst of any opposition leader on record – and the Labour party is suffering badly as a result. He has lost the confidence of more than 80% of Labour’s MPs in Parliament – and I am afraid we simply cannot afford to go on like this.”

Photographs by Rachel Megawhatt