London mayor Khan accused of blocking queen statue, facing racist attack

London Mayor Sadiq Khan came under a barrage of social media attacks including ones of racist variety after a newspaper reported he might block a new statue of the Queen.

The incorrect report was first posted by leading daily the Telegraph under the headline "No room for Queen Elizabeth II statue on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth, rules Sadiq Khan", according to The Guardian.

The report stirred up responses on social media after other mainstream outlets picked it up, nevertheless the Telegraph later amended the headline.

Sadiq Khan faced abuses days after he had said that some media outlets were "monetising" hatred.

The site of controversy, the fourth plinth in the square, is a scene of sculptures and artworks where the latest art work is a statue of Baptist pastor John Chilembwe, who died during a revolt against the British in what is now Malawi in 1915.

The longstanding programme for the empty plinth, organised by a commission answerable to Khan's office, has been set out for the next four years, leading some newspapers to say this meant a statue of the late Queen could not be placed there, The Guardian reported.

The Greater London Authority did not rule this out, saying a statue of the Queen at a suitable location in London is a matter for the royal family to consider.

Khan's office later said the mayor was happy to support the royals' wish locating the statue including at the fourth plinth if it is royal preference.

The royals have not asked for the plinth to be used for the statue.

In the thick of the controversy, Khan was accused of not being patriotic alongside hurling at him racist slurs.

Only a week previously did Khan tell the Labour Conference that an analysis showed that 230,000 racist tweets had been posted about him since he became mayor in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Labour MP Dawn Butler for Central in north London said the press should ensure their output is fair and accurate.