Sadiq Khan could be in breach of equality legislation over the decision not to renew Uber’s licence in London, a former adviser has warned.

The Mayor of London was told on Saturday that because more than 90 per cent of the 40,000 drivers are from ethnic minority backgrounds, the move has destroyed a “lifeline” for them.

The taxi app has announced it will take court action against Transport for London’s (TfL) ban, which is due to come into force next Saturday.

TfL claimed the service was “not fit and proper” to hold a licence amid allegations of sex crimes by its drivers, but women’s charities fear passenger safety will be put at risk.

On Saturday a petition to reinstate Uber had more than 590,000 signatures.