- Monday, February 24, 2025
The 43-year-old Kevin Pietersen has made a series of posts against the mayor accusing him of allowing London to become less nice.
By: Shubham Ghosh
FORMER England captain Kevin Pietersen recently took a dig at Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, over the allegedly high crime levels in the capital and claimed he removed his watch and wedding ring before paying a visit to the city.
He wrote “thanks Sadiq Khan!” in an online post.
The South African-born Pietersen, who scored more than 13,000 runs for England between 2005 and 2014, said he had picked a plastic ring to replace his gold band.
Having turned an outspoken critic of Khan, who will go to elections next month seeking a third term since 2016, Pietersen in March called London “an absolute disgrace of a place”.
Read: Indian-origin man arrested for robbing London post office with dummy gun
On Tuesday (9), he shared a picture of his left hand on X and said, “Gotta go into London today. NO WATCH and a plastic ring! Congrats, Sadiq Khan!”
Gotta go into London today.
NO WATCH and a plastic ring!
Congrats, @SadiqKhan ! ?? pic.twitter.com/5f6oSVuV5S— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) April 9, 2024
Khan has been accused of losing control of crime in the capital and his Tory opponent Susan Hall unveiled figures recently that suggest that incidents of theft and robbery involving a knife have nearly doubled in London in times of Khan. Cases of shoplifting have also gone up during this period.
The 43-year-old Pietersen lives in Surrey.
On March 28, the former batter posted on X: “London was once the most amazing city. It’s an absolute disgrace of a place.
“You cannot wear a watch of any value. You cannot walk around with your phone in your hand. Women get their bags and jewellery ripped off them. Cars get smashed in for a quick smash and grab.”
Read: Not trade but London theft complaints from India business elite greet Labour’s Lammy in Delhi
He added, “Sadiq Khan must be really proud of what he’s created?!”
WTAF is this now in London?!?!?! London was once the most amazing city. It’s an absolute disgrace of a place.
• You cannot wear a watch of any value.
• you cannot walk around with your phone in your hand.
• women get their bags and jewellery ripped off them.
• cars get… https://t.co/6w5JL9KjuP— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) March 28, 2024
Pietersen wrote later that day again about Khan, saying “This bloke has been in charge for years now and all of this London nonsense has been on HIS clock.”
??????. This bloke has been in charge for years now and all of this London nonsense has been on HIS clock.
Blame everyone else, @SadiqKhan – we all know what the greatest leaders DON’T do. https://t.co/oeqY4nxGiK— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) March 28, 2024
“Blame everyone else, Sadiq Khan – we all know what the greatest leaders DON’T do.”
After reaching London, Pietersen tweeted again, this time praising the city and also Khan.
“In London and having the most wonderful day,” he wrote. “This city is absolutely incredible. Congrats Sadiq Khan.”
UPDATE!
In London and having the most wonderful day.
This city is absolutely incredible.
Congrats, @SadiqKhan! ?? pic.twitter.com/F8Rp2jA4oM— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) April 9, 2024
In fact, he went to post more. He criticized the wind of London and wittingly mentioned about Khan once again.
“Horrible wind in London. Absolutely freezing! Urgh!!! Who’d do this to Londoners?!?! ? Wasn’t like this the last time I was here. Well done, @SadiqKhan!” he wrote.
UPDATE:
Horrible wind in London. Absolutely freezing! Urgh!!! Who’d do this to Londoners?!?! ?
Wasn’t like this the last time I was here.
Well done, @SadiqKhan ! ??
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) April 9, 2024
