The Guardian ·
Khan addresses Polanski in Urdu at London assembly, mocking Green leader’s byelection video – as it happened
Polanski is a member of the London assembly and today Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor, was appearing before the assembly to take questions. As Polanski asked him a question about data centres, Khan, whose parents came to the UK from Pakistan, mocked him by replying in Urdu. Kumail Jaffer, a local democracy reporter, has the video here.
When Polanski was called during the question time session, Khan initially replied to the question submitted in advance in English. But when Polanski asked his first follow-up question, Khan gave the first few sentences of his reply in Urdu. Polanski appeared not to understand. As he switched into English, Khan apologised to Urdu speakers for the “Russian accent” he had when speaking Urdu. Polanski did not seem amused, and complained that Khan was taking up time that he wanted to devote to the climate crisis.
Polanski asked for an assurance that Khan would block data centres in London if they would be a threat to clean water and energy supplies. Khan said they would only be approved if they were “clean and sustainable”.
