The deputy mayor of London for Housing was flown to Budapest to attend last month’s Pride march, which the Hungarian government opposed, using public funds.
Sadiq Khan’s man, Tom Copley, joined a podium topped with European Union politicians opposed to Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán at the close of the “LGBTQI+” march, held on June 28th. The stunt came despite the London mayor’s office holding no foreign policy brief whatsoever.
A subsequent freedom of information (FOI) request showed that Copley’s trip cost more than £1,000 (€1,156), spent on flights and accommodation. Official FOI materials from London’s City Hall stated
The Deputy Mayor represented the Mayor of London at the Mayor of Budapest Pride event on 28 June to show solidarity with Hungary’s LGBTQ+ movement and to promote London’s credentials as a truly global, diverse, and inclusive city… London and Budapest are better places because of the contribution of our LGBTQI+ communities.
Overseas support for the 30th annual Budapest Pride has been criticised as an attack on Hungary’s national sovereignty.
