Soaring crime rates will lead investors, tourists and even residents to abandon London, one of the country’s leading property tycoons has claimed.
Nick Candy slammed London mayor Sadiq Khan’s ‘disgraceful’ attempts to tackle crime as he backed his Conservative rival Shaun Bailey for the top job for the election in May.
Candy, 48, a self-made billionaire, warned that investors and businesses were at risk of deserting London because of Khan’s track record on disorder.
Following the murder of Sarah Everard, Candy said that he had been left incensed by Mr Khan’s (pictured) admission that the capital’s streets are not safe for women and girls
Nick Candy slammed London mayor Sadiq Khan’s ‘disgraceful’ attempts to tackle crime as he backed his Conservative rival Shaun Bailey (pictured) for the top job for the election in May
Police arresting a protester who attended vigil for Sarah Everard as well as to protest violence against women
Mr Candy told MailOnline: ‘This is becoming the crime election. Tackling crime is our top priority because it is out of control.
‘Criminals are getting away with murder, the streets are not safe, and my fear is that business, investors and tourists will desert the city. I was born and raised in London and still live here. It’s the greatest city in the world but it has been ruined over the past five years under Mr Khan.’
Crime is expected to be the main issue at the forthcoming election, with Mr Candy fuming that it has left Londoners and the business community ‘disillusioned.’
He revealed that he had made a personal ‘six figure’ donation to Mr Bailey’s campaign and has helped raise more than £1 million, utilising his contacts within the City and London’s elite.
Following the murder of Sarah Everard, he said that he had been left incensed by Mr Khan’s admission that the capital’s streets are not safe for women and girls.
He added: ‘For the Mayor of London to say this is a disgrace. It’s his duty to make it safe for them but he blames everybody but himself.
‘I live in an all-female house, have two young daughters and I want London to be safe for them and all other women and girls.’
In his manifesto, Mr Bailey has pledged to hire an additional 8,000 police officers, reopen 38 police stations, and build a youth centre in every London borough to tackle crime amongst young people.
Mr Candy and his brother Christian are best known for creating their ultra-lavish apartment block One Hyde Park. Their clients include Russian oligarchs, sheikhs and celebrities such as Kylie Minogue.
The brothers started off their business by developing a small flat in South West London after getting a £6,000 loan from their grandmother.
He claimed that in addition to crime, other factors that have made London ‘unlivable’ are measures such as cycle lanes, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, and an increase in the congestion charge.
Mr Candy fumed: ‘Once the lockdown is lifted and life returns to normal, you will not be able to move in London. The city is becoming unliveable because of crime and ridiculous traffic calming measures, such as cycle lanes in the middle of Park Lane while Transport for London is close to bankruptcy. Getting around has become a nightmare.’
Candy, 48, (pictured) a self-made billionaire, warned that investors and businesses were at risk of deserting London because of Khan’s track record on disorder.
Mr Candy also dismissed reports that Conservative Central Office had cut off funding to Mr Bailey’s campaign and that senior figures in the party are not happy with his campaign as ‘rubbish.’
He added: ‘I can guarantee that is not true.There is a credit line,but it’s not required because funds are coming in thick and fast.Everybody is so disillusioned about crime and the way our city is being run.
‘Senior Cabinet members including Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab are supporting him and in recent weeks have participated in fund raising efforts.’
A spokesman for the Conservative Party said: ‘Shaun Bailey and his campaign have our full support and we are working closely to highlight Sadiq Khan’s abysmal failures on crime, housing and transport and to deliver the fresh start Londoners desperately need. London needs a new Mayor with solutions, not excuses, and that is Shaun Bailey.’