He was elected as the London mayor to represent the interest of those living in the capital.

But just two days before the start of a week of bloodshed in London, Sadiq Khan was posing for pictures with revellers at a music festival in Texas.

He was afforded rock star status at South By Southwest in Austin where queues snaked around to block to listen a major speech on online abuse.

Two days before the start of a week of bloodshed in London, Sadiq Khan was posing for pictures with revellers at a music festival in Texas

Mr Khan is a popular figure among liberal Americans because of his outspoken opposition to Donald Trump.

'The sun hasn't set in Washington DC yet,' he told the crowd. 'This hopefully means no late-night tweets attacking me during the course of this speech..'

This is was a reference to the president's criticism of him hours after the terrorist attacks in London last year.

The speech, which received a standing ovation, focused on how governments have struggled to keep pace with technological change.

Sadiq Khan has been criticised for not spending enough time in London by Conservative Andrew Boff

However, not everyone was impressed with his exploits across the pond.

Andrew Boff, a Conservative member of the London Assembly, said Mr Khan, 47, was not spending enough time focused on London.

'It has been very clear Sadiq Khan has ambitions beyond the mayoralty,' Mr Boff said. 'His attention would be better served on issues closer to home.'