London Mayor Sadiq Khan has told exhibition organisers planning to exhibit arms in the capital city to "reconsider". The Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) caters for more than 30,000 attendees a year, with 1,600 exhibitors. But Mr Khan has asked them not to come back to London in consideration of the city's residents.

       According to letters seen by staff at The Independent, he said the fair's presence was insulting to those who have escaped violence.

       In a letter to event director Grant Burgham, he said London had become home to people who have fled conflicts and suffered "as a consequence" of weapons “like those exhibited at DSEI”.

       Mr Khan added it "goes against our values" to use the capital as a marketplace for those aiming to trade weapons to "some countries that contribute to human rights abuses."

       The DSEI attracts investors by casting a wide net of invites, with some of those asked to attend representing countries or militaries with poor human rights track records.

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       The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) states DSEI invites military and security delegates involved with or linked to regimes that abuse human rights.

       In 2019, 67 countries and NATO were amongst those gifted official invitations.

       According to the CAAT, Defence & Security Exports, the Government's civil service wing for arms sales, helps organise.

       The event has long attracted attention from arms trade protesters, requiring a significant police presence.

       Mr Khan cited costs from 2019 in his letter, when the event required 5,609 police officers.

       The total expenditure for the exhibition came in at roughly ￡2.5 million.

       Organisers Clarion have scheduled the event for next month, to run between September 14 and 17 at the ExCel centre.

       Mr Burgham responded to Mr Khan's letter, stating the event only serves "legitimate" dealers.

       He added several Government agencies would be in attendance.

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       “The event serves only the interests of the legitimate defence and security industry, which is the most highly and tightly regulated in the world.

       “Teams from HMRC, BEIS (the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), DIT-ECJU (the part of the Department for International Trade that deals with export control) and the other government agencies responsible for enforcing the law at DSEI are on site during setup and throughout the exhibition.

       “We will be welcoming ministers from the UK government, as well as MPs from across parliament, who will meet British companies and underscore the important role that the defence and security sector plays.

       "International official defence delegations are also invited to attend by the Department for International Trade, providing delegates with the opportunity to see equipment, much of it British-made, up close.”

       The event's location in the Docklands has also concerned Mr Khan.

       The mayor recently moved his office to the area in a bid to save on costs.

       But in his letter, he said he was “becoming increasingly concerned” the arms fair's presence would negate much of his effort.

       Kirsten Bayes, a spokesperson for CAAT, added it would have a practical and emotional impact on those living in East London who have made homes there after fleeing violence.