Sadiq Khan today revealed his fear that his teenage daughters could be groomed by Islamist fanatics in a highly personal speech to Westminster journalists.

Addressing the parliamentary press gallery over lunch, Khan claimed that “most British Muslims have come across someone with extremist views at some point” and argued that British Muslims had a “special role” to play in tackling extremism. And he told reporters:

“This fight is personal for me. Like all parents, I want to know that my daughters are safe. I worry that they or their friends could be groomed by extremists on the internet.”

Labour’s London mayoral candidate also sought to distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn's warning against police having an order to 'shoot to kill' terrorists. Khan backed the targeted assassination last week of Isis killer Mohammed Emwazi in Syria, adding that he lived “in the real world”.

Before the serious proceedings got under way, Khan received the traditional welcome from press gallery chairman Robert Hutton.

In his speech, Hutton didn’t miss the opportunity for a jibe at old lobby pal Patrick Hennessy, who is now running Khan’s communications having moved across from Labour HQ.

He commended Khan for “opening up his own life to a refugee fleeing a devasted warzone where disaster could strike at any moment...

“And it’s great to see Paddy Hennessy with us here today.”

The press gallery chairman then described Khan as “a doughty political campaigner with a fierce record on a range issues, from opposing Heathrow’s third runway to supporting a third runway for Heathrow".

For his part, Khan hit back at his six foot high host and his Tory mayoral opponent in one go.

“I seem to spend my life surrounded by tall, posh, men.”

But his best lines were reserved for the business secretary.

“Some of you may or may not know, I’m the son of a bus driver. I used to love that line. Then Sajid fucking Javid came along.

“And you know what they say. You wait ages for a Muslim son of a bus driver to turn up.

“And then two come along at the same time.”

Total Politics has begun a new weekly Friday email bulletin. Follow this link [1] to register.