Grant Shapps returns Sadiq Khan to Electoral Commission over Crossrail opening Business

Sadiq Khan has been reported to the Electoral Commission by Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, for revealing the start date of the new Crossrail commuter line on the eve of local elections.

Mr Shapps said the Mayor of London was guilty of “breathtaking political cynicism” after he announced that Crossrail would start operating on May 24.

Mr Khan described the new line from Reading and Heathrow to Shenfield as part of efforts to create a ‘fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners’, and said it would provide a boost economy of £42 billion.

Purdah rules generally prohibit major political announcements in the weeks leading up to an election.

Mr Shapps said: “This advert is a breathtaking act of political cynicism on the part of the Mayor, breaking election rules on such adverts in a bid to garner votes on the eve of local elections in London.

“I therefore immediately refer this violation to the Electoral Commission for investigation.

“Londonians reading this unscrupulous headline might like to know that the government has poured billions into Crossrail to solve the mayor’s backlog, while supporting a transport system financially hobbled by his chronic incompetence.”