Sadiq Khan hosts City Hall Q&A for Jacinda Ardern and Justin Trudeau

Selfie time: Justin Trudea with Sadiq Khan and Jacinda Ardern at City Hall
AP

Sadiq Khan scored a coup today as he introduced world leaders Justin Trudeau and Jacinda Ardern to an audience of London teenagers.

The prime ministers of Canada and New Zealand took part in a Q&A at City Hall alongside the Mayor.

They were due to meet Theresa May at 10 Downing Street this afternoon, but Mr Khan stole a march by staging his own event while the British premier was rehearsing for her weekly Question Time in the Commons.

The event was held in celebration of 100 years since some women secured the right to vote in the UK.

Both prime ministers are recognised as working to improve gender equality, and Mr Khan introduced them as “two of the leading feminists in the world”.

Feel the love: The two politicians embrace
PA

Around 80 secondary school children from Lewisham, Southwark and Haringey asked them questions about gender equality and issues affecting young people.

Ms Ardern, 37, has won praise for working to improve relations with New Zealand’s Maori population.

She said today’s event was “a great opportunity to hear the thoughts of young people on key social issues such as gender equality. The timing couldn’t be better, with 2018 celebrating 100 years since women in the UK first won the right to vote and 125 years for New Zealand women.” Ms Ardern, who is on her last overseas trip before she is due to give birth in June, named as her own “female idol” her mother.

Mr Trudeau, 46, said: “This anniversary is a major milestone, but it also throws into relief the work we still need to do to make gender equality a reality. Everyone benefits when women can participate freely, fully, and equally in society.”

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