LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has told the organisers of an arms fair in the capital next month to reconsider the event and not come back, newly seen letters reveal.

The Labour mayor said that the arms fair’s presence is insulting to people who had escaped violence and made London their home. 

“For [London] to be used as a marketplace for those who wish to trade in weapons to some countries that contribute to human rights abuses goes completely against our values,” Mr Khan said in one letter seen by the Independent newspaper.

More than 30,000 attendees usually converge on the annual Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair, where 1,600 exhibitors sell weapons from sniper rifles and tanks to aircraft and warships.

The event extends invitations to governments and militaries around the world including many that openly abuse human rights.

About two-thirds of countries classified as “not free” because of their dire human rights records have received weapons licensed by the British government over the past decade, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) says. 

Thousands of people protest outside the arms fair annually.

In his letters, Mr Khan tells DSEI event director Grant Burgham that he is becoming increasing concerned about the fair, particularly as significant opposition to it results in policing costs of more than £2.5 million each year.

“I strongly urge you to reconsider this year’s event and any plans you have to host future events in the city,” wrote Mr Khan, who has no powers to veto the arms fair.

In his response, Mr Burgham said organisers “respect the right to lawful protest” but claimed that the fair serves “only the interests of the legitimate defence and security industry, which is the most highly and tightly regulated in the world.”

Campaigners are also calling on Liverpool City Council to ban the AOC Europe 2021 arms fair due to take place in the city in October, warning it will include firms selling weapons to Israel for use against Palestinians.

CAAT’s Kirsten Bayes said Mr Khan was absolutely right to intervene, adding: “Our view is that holding arms fairs anywhere is wrong. The industry makes its profits through creating death and disaster around the world.

“Our country needs to say no to the trade in dreadful weapons, stand up for peace and human rights, and put an end to these arms fairs.”

Parliamentary reporter @TrinderMatt