London mayor: Labour 'unlikely to win' with Corbyn

Sadiq Khan endorsed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's challenger, Owen Smith, in an opinion article published late on Saturday.

"Jeremy has already proved that he is unable to organize an effective team and has failed to win the trust and respect of the British people," Khan said in an article he wrote for the UK's "Observer" newspaper.

"I am afraid we simply cannot afford to go on like this," he added.

Ever since Great Britain's June vote to leave the European Union, the Labour Party has been struggling with a leadership challenge by Smith, a veteran member of parliament. Many in the party were displeased with Corbyn's leadership during the referendum campaign.

Khan echoed those sentiments in his article, saying that Corbyn's referendum stance was not clear and left many voters unconvinced.

"I know from my own election - up against a nasty and divisive Tory campaign - that if we are strong and clear enough in our convictions, the message will get through to the public," the London mayor wrote.

"That's a test that Jeremy totally failed in the EU referendum. Why would things be different in a general election?"

Corbyn has continuously denied that he failed to strongly campaign for the UK to remain in the EU. Despite widespread criticism, he is still favored to win the leadership contest due to grassroots support.

Smith, on the other hand, is supported by many of the Labour Party's elected lawmakers.

The leadership challenge result is set to be announced on September 24.

rs/tj (dpa, Reuters)