Sadiq Khan under fire as Oxford Street festive lights 'fail to mention Christmas'

Sadiq Khan is under fire after festive lights in the country's busiest shopping centre failed to mention Christmas. Social media users reacted with fury after the Mayor of London posted images of the lights, which were quickly branded as having been put up with "zero thought, effort, or mention of Christmas".

Made up of strings of stars, the lights do not show the word 'Christmas' or any other imagery widely associated with the holiday. Comparisons have been drawn between the Christmas lights in Oxford Street, and earlier light displays for Ramadan and Eid, both of which displayed the name of the holiday being marked.

Author and Historian Adrian Hilton said it was "interesting how two traditional words of seasonal greeting can be expunged from the capital city" reference the absence of 'Happy Christmas' from the display.

He added: "But I guess stars have a fairly innocuous universality, do they not? 'A merry Christmas, Bob!' said Scrooge."

Sadiq Khan said, when promoting the lights, that "hundreds of thousands of stars have lit up the nation's high street" and added that "throughout this month London's Christmas lights are coming to town and the festive period is the perfect time to enjoy everything the capital has to offer."

Joining the criticism, another social media user said "It's supposed to be the festive season" adding "no holly, no ivy, no Santa, no Xmas in lights?".

Others pointed to the fact the lights appear to have gone up early, saying "We've not even had Bonfire Night yet!" whilst another pointed out that it was not yet December.

The display was branded "Ridiculous" with another user saying "It's f*****g November, f*** off!".

Yet other users saw the lighter side, remarking "I thought Christmas was banned", referencing some of the online commentary directed at the Mayor of London.

One user asked "Am I going crazy, or are these the worst [lights] yet?"

The lights are the same as previous years.

Lights will be lit across the city, with Oxford Street's being the first to illuminate central London after they were turned on on November 3.

Regent Street, St James's and Carnaby Street will be lit on November 6, with November 12 seeing Covent Garden, Bond Street, Marylebone Village and Old Spitalfields market illuminated.

Next up will be Leadenhall market on November 13, the King's Road in Chelsea on November 15, with Belgravia on November 16. The Cutty Sark, Greenwich and part of Soho will be lit on November 19.

Dates are subject to change.

Light displays in London are common occurrences around major holidays, with Piccadilly Circus being lit this year for Ramadan.

30,000 LED bulbs in the shape of Islamic geometric patterns and associated symbols were set up across the famous street.

Mr Khan opened the lights during Ramadan, observing the third year in which the display was laid on.

The Express has approached Sadiq Khan's office for comment.