Starmer ends Whitehall's eight-year clash with Khan

New Prime Minister promises to work with the Mayor to boost London

- Nicholas Cecil and Ross Lydall

SIR Keir Starmer ended an eight-year clash between City Hall and Whitehall today as he vowed to work with Sadiq Khan to boost London.

The new Prime Minister met mayors from across England in No 10 as the Labour Government pledged to let the regions "take back control".

Mr Khan's time in office since 2016 has been marked by repeated bust-ups with Conservative administrations over transport, crime and housing.

But Sir Keir stressed he would work with mayors from all political parties.

At the start of the meeting, he said: "Economy and growth is the number one mission of this Labour government.

"If it's going to be growth that is worth having, it's got to be across the country and in every single place. We will work alongside you to achieve it."

Mr Khan said it was a "really good meeting" with Sir Keir, Communities Secretary Angela Rayner and Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden.

"The fact they met with us so quickly after the general election bodes well," he told the Standard. "It's a real statement of intent."

He said the premier wanted to "work with" rather than against the metro mayors, and had promised regular meetings.

"The Prime Minister... is keen to make sure that we have the winds of a Labour Government at the sails of a fantastic Labour Mayor," emphasised Mr Khan, not shying away from trumpeting his own work.