London Mayor Sadiq Khan handed a peerage by Keir Starmer alongside 15 other Labour figures... just days before the PM leaves No10

London Mayor Sadiq Khan handed a peerage by Keir Starmer alongside 15 other Labour figures... just days before the PM leaves No10 - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Sadiq Khan has been handed a peerage alongside 15 other Labour figures, in one of Keir Starmer's final acts as PM. The London Mayor is entering the House of Lords in the latest batch of honours nominated by Sir Keir. Broadcaster June Sarpong and former Unison general secretary Christina McAnea are also on the list. In a potentially controversial move, Sir Sadiq will not give up his role as mayor - although it is understood he would not accept a ministerial role under incoming PM Andy Burnham. Sir Sadiq and the 25 other new peers - including five Lib Dems, three Tories and two crossbenchers - will be entitled to £390 tax free for every day they attend the Lords. There are typically 150 sitting days a year. Aides did not immediately say whether the mayor - who already has a £170,000 salary - would take the payment or donate it to charity. It is also unclear what Mr Burnham, who is set to take over in No10 on Monday, thinks of the appointments. He has long argued for reform of the Upper chamber, insisting last month that 'half of our national legislature being unelected' was 'quite scandalous' and that he would not 'rule out quite an early change'. Sadiq Khan is entering the House of Lords in the latest batch of honours nominated by Keir Starmer The list is separate to any resignation honours that Sir Keir might present The Tories have nominated three new peers, including former army chief General Patrick Sanders and Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross. The Lib Dems have been granted five, but there were no spots for Reform. Former Appeal Court judge Sir Brian Leveson, author of the Leveson Report into press standards, becomes a crossbench peer. He will be joined by former Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald. Sir Keir effectively forced the civil servant out of his job during the Mandelson vetting scandal. The list is separate to any resignation honours that Sir Keir might present. He has pointedly refused to rule out a set of farewell nominations, despite promising while in Opposition that he would never do one. A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: 'London gave Sadiq the opportunities to go from a council estate to being Mayor of London, and his focus will continue to be ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot at reaching their full potential that London gave him and his family. 'Serving as mayor of the greatest city in the world continues to be the privilege of Sadiq's life. 'He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and he will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.' Allies insisted Sir Sadiq will 'continue to devote the same time and energy as Mayor building a fairer, safer and greener city for every Londoner'. He has yet to decide whether to stand for a fourth term in the job. A Government source said: 'Sadiq has been a brilliant Mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved. 'He has cut violent crime to record lows, cleaned up the capital's air, delivered the Elizabeth Line, and got London building council homes again.' June Sarpong, originally known for presenting T4 on Channel 4, is a long-time Labour supporter who campaigned for Sir Keir in the general election. She is known to be a close friend of his wife Lady Victoria. Ms Sarpong also dated Sir Keir's deputy David Lammy in the 2000s. Mr Burnham, a former Greater Manchester Mayor, has previously backed turning the chamber into an elected senate of regions and nations, and is reportedly considering plans to appoint metro mayors to the red benches as a first step towards a more representative body. The Lib Dems have nominated agricultural economist Julia Aglionby, former Barnsley councillor and physiotherapist Hannah Kitching, economist Tim Leunig, Lib Dem campaigns director Dave McCobb and offshore wind entrepreneur Mark Petterson for the Lords. Party leader Ed Davey said: 'I am absolutely delighted that Julia, Hannah, Tim, Dave and Mark will be joining our brilliant Liberal Democrat team in the House of Lords. 'Each of them has the right skills, experience and values to help us hold the Government to account, deliver the change people need, and fix our broken politics, including reforming the House of Lords.' Sir Keir has been under pressure to stand by his promise not to hand out honours to mark his resignation. Broadcaster June Sarpong has been installed in the Lords. She is a long-time Labour supporter and campaigned for Sir Keir (pictured in 2024) Andy Burnham, a former Greater Manchester Mayor, has previously backed turning the House of Lords into an elected senate of regions and nations Prime Ministers typically compile a list of gongs when they quit, often rewarding close aides and political allies. In the past even relatively junior staffers have received OBEs, while others have been granted a peerage in recognition of their dedication. However, Sir Keir has been scathing about the convention in the past, and flatly ruled out issuing one. In 2023, when Boris Johnson's list emerged, he was asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether he would hand out resignation honours. 'No. There are other opportunities,' he replied. 'Tony Blair didn't have a resignation list. It's very hard to justify… 'There are other avenues for that and I think it's easier to be clean about this and simply say, no, I wouldn't do it.' No10 has yet to clarify whether Sir Keir will issue a list, which often emerge many months after a premier's departure. Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: 'Labour's own manifesto said two years ago that 'the second chamber of Parliament has become too big' and that 'reform is long over-due and essential'. 'So the sight of yet more peerages being handed out to donors, allies and supporters today will be a baffling one to the public. 'Especially when at well over 700 members the Lords is already the second largest legislative chamber in the world after China's National People's Congress. 'The next prime minister needs to make good on the promise of reform and turn the Lords into a smaller, democratic chamber that is more representative of and accountable to the people of this country.'