Sadiq Khan faces backlash over controversial assisted dying advertisements on Underground

In London, the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been criticized for permitting advertisements promoting assisted suicide on the London Underground. These ads are linked to a campaign group, Dignity in Dying, advocating for a controversial assisted dying Bill set for debate in the House of Commons. Critics, including Alex Wilson from Reform UK, argue that the decision signifies a serious error in judgment and reflects double standards within Khan's administration, suggesting that it’s part of a wider pattern of poor advertising decisions by Transport for London (TfL). Previous examples have raised concerns regarding political advertising and controversial figures, culminating in accusations that these ads may negatively affect individuals struggling with mental health issues. The response to these advertisements has been swift, with calls for immediate action to remove them and for an official apology from the Mayor. Lord Bailey, a Conservative peer, echoed these concerns, expressing alarm over the implications of such messaging in sensitive public spaces. The TfL Guidelines allow for non-political cause promotions, raising questions about compliance with advertising policies and the leadership's accountability in the approval process of such ads. Despite a City Hall spokesperson asserting Khan's lack of direct involvement in the ad approval process, critics emphasize the need for greater consistency in TfL's advertising practices. The advertising rules have faced scrutiny over perceived inconsistencies, inviting comparisons with previous ads deemed controversial or politically sensitive. The outcome of the upcoming debate on the assisted dying Bill will be pivotal, and the timing of these ads has intensified the scrutiny on the Mayor's policies moving forward. Londoners are now calling for clearer standards and expectations to be established in TfL advertising to prevent such controversies in the future.