The Mayor of London has been heavily criticised after a spate of violent attacks across the capital over the bank holiday weekend.
Sadiq Khan was slammed by Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan who told him to stop hiding after he failed to appear on the TV show.
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A number of violent knife and gun attacks in the capital over the weekend included the murder of 17-year-old Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, who was shot dead in a street in Southwark.
Elsewhere, a 13-year-old boy become an innocent victim as he was shot in the head while walking down a street with his parents in Harrow on Sunday. The youngster was hit by shotgun pellets after an attack on a 15-year-old boy at around 1.15pm.
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Mr Khan vowed to work ceaselessly to tackle violent crime in London after the brutal attacks during a 24-hour crime wave.
The Mayor of London condemned the violence and said his heart goes out to the families of those killed and injured as he urged witnesses to come forward and called on the Government to plough more funding into police resources.
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In a statement, he said: Keeping Londoners safe is my top priority – I remain in constant contact with the Metropolitan Police and am reassured that they are doing everything they can to bring those responsible to justice and to keep us all safe.
As Mayor Im doing all I can to compensate for the failure of ministers.
City Hall is investing an extra £110m in the Met to keep police numbers as high as possible, and we have also set up a new £45m Young Londoners Fund to help tackle the causes of violent crime and support young people to turn away from criminality.
I refuse to accept that nothing can be done to stem the appalling rise of violent crime we are seeing across the country.
Together with the police, community groups, victims and their families and Londoners, City Hall will continue to work ceaselessly to tackle violent crime.
But on Monday, Morgan tweeted at the London Mayor, telling him to appear on the breakfast show.
Youre not keeping Londoners safe. Thats the point, he wrote.
Two teens stabbed and another man shot on last day of bank holiday weekend
Stop hiding, Mr Mayor @SadiqKhan & come on @GMB tomorrow to discuss this very urgent issue. Our viewers are entitled to hear from you.
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It appears the appeal went ignored, with the TV presenter once again calling out Mr Khan for his no-show.
Why wouldnt you come on a big morning television programme to talk to our viewers? he said.
This is your duty. Were not doing it as some sort of trap, youre supposed to come on and defend yourself.
Co-host Susanna Reid said: Its not just defence its reassurance, people want to know what is being done to tackle this.
The comments split viewers, some arguing the Mayor had not done enough, with others telling Morgan pointing the blame didnt help the situation.
@SadiqKhan come on, take @piersmorgan and @susannareid100 them up on the invite, lets see you show up on telly ! What you hiding ?
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Billy Reid (@billyroxwell) May 08, 2018
@GMB @piersmorgan Sadiq Khant is a total incompetent whos too busy worrying about not offending the pc brigade. H… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
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Nigel Rosendale (@nr100ap) May 08, 2018
#piersmorgan asks why is it that @SadiqKhan does not accept an invitation explain to Londoners' what he will be doi… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
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Consiglieri (@shortcommons) May 08, 2018
@piersmorgan @SadiqKhan @GMB What would you suggest Piers? You go talk to these gangs instead of shouting from your ivory tower.
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Fil Osophav (@Philosopha1) May 08, 2018
@piersmorgan @SadiqKhan @GMB Too much blaming and not enough serious debate. Children are killing each other and al… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
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Gary Lovett (@garylovett2012) May 08, 2018
@piersmorgan @SadiqKhan @GMB I dont think Mr Khan slashed the police by 21,000 Piers, do you?
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Sue Harding #FBPE #HealthierIn #Windrush (@suehard) May 08, 2018
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