Sadiq Khan has demanded more autonomy for London in the aftermath of the EU referendum to protect it from the uncertainty of Brexit.

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In a speech to ‘business leaders’ yesterday the Mayor of London referenced a petition calling for London to declare independence which attracted 175,000 signatures since Friday.

He would later call on the Government to move fast on devolution for London, a situation that could bring it in line with the political set ups in Scotland and Wales.

Mr Khan said: “On behalf of all Londoners, I am demanding more autonomy for the capital - right now.

“More autonomy in order to protect London's economy from the uncertainty ahead, to protect the businesses from around the world who trade here and to protect our jobs, wealth and prosperity.”

The Mayor is looking for fiscal responsibility for the capital, which could see taxes raised and lowered, as well as more control over housing, planning, transport, health, policing and criminal justice.

Mr Khan stressed he did not intend London to become a city-state with ‘border points on the M25’, nor was he advocating London getting a ‘bigger slice of the British pie’.

However he did say he wanted Londoners to have more control over their own economic affairs.

He said: “When London succeeds, the rest of the country succeeds too.

“And when we fail, the entire nation fails.”

He also mentioned the support for devolution from Chancellor George Osborne and his predecessor, Boris Johnson, who launched the London Finance Commission report into devolution.

Mr Khan also tweeted yesterday: “The Government must move fast on devolution for London. We can’t wait for the outcome of negotiations.”