Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group in the London Assembly and former mayoral candidate, has avoided any formal sanction after sharing a doctored AI image of Sadiq Khan appearing to drown. The image, which first circulated on X (formerly Twitter), prompted outrage from Labour figures and a complaint alleging it breached the Greater London Authority’s code of conduct. An independent review, however, concluded that Hall’s post did not merit disciplinary action.
The AI image that sparked controversy
In April, Hall reshared an AI-generated picture depicting Khan struggling in water, alongside the caption originally posed by another X user: “What would you throw to save Khan?” Hall’s response — “A ULEZ camera…” — was accompanied by a laughing emoji. A subsequent comment by another user, “Send two!”, drew another chuckle from Hall. Despite widespread criticism, the post remains live on her account, having amassed nearly 120,000 views.
Official complaint and code of conduct
Labour Assembly Member Leonie Cooper filed a formal complaint with the GLA monitoring officer, arguing that Hall’s post violated the code of conduct, which requires members to:
- “treat others with respect”;
- “not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute.”
Cooper described the AI image as “dehumanising and inappropriate,” calling on the Conservative Party to clarify whether it condoned such behaviour.
Monitoring officer’s findings
PoliticsHome has learned that the monitoring officer carried out an initial assessment and decided no further action was necessary. A GLA spokesperson confirmed: “The monitoring officer has looked into the complaint and no further action has been taken.”
Reactions from Labour and campaign groups
Leonie Cooper expressed disappointment but respected the monitoring officer’s independent decision. She warned that Londoners would judge whether the portrayal of violence against political rivals reflected the values of the capital.
The Jo Cox Foundation, named after the late Labour MP who was murdered in 2016, also rebuked Hall’s post. A spokesperson emphasized politicians’ responsibility to set a respectful tone, stating: “While passionate debate is key, abuse and personal attacks are not.”
Hall’s political trajectory
Hall narrowly lost last year’s mayoral election to Sadiq Khan. She served as leader of the Conservative group in the London Assembly from 2019 to 2023, returning to the post earlier this year. Some within the party blamed her “negative” campaign style for the electoral defeat.
Politico reported that Hall was also appointed adviser to “Restore Britain,” a group led by Rupert Lowe, though her role in that organisation has drawn further scrutiny.
Context of threats against Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan has endured repeated threats throughout his tenure as London’s mayor, requiring constant police protection. He revealed in an updated edition of his memoir that he received a bullet in the post during the campaign, underscoring the intense hostility that can surround high-profile political figures.
Conservative group response
City Hall’s Conservative group confirmed that the monitoring officer’s probe found no breach of the code. A spokesperson stated: “The investigation concluded that there has not been a breach of the code of conduct and no further action will be taken on this matter.”
Downing Street and Conservative Campaign Headquarters have not publicly commented on Hall’s post or launched any internal inquiry.