London has its first Muslim mayor as Sadiq wins the battle for City Hall

 Sadiq Khan was declared the first Muslim Mayor of London tonight after comfortably defeating Tory rival Zac Goldsmith.

In a glimmer of light for Jeremy Corbyn from an otherwise dire set of election results, emerging results at City Hall made it clear there was no route to victory for Mr Goldsmith.

The official declaration was due by around 6pm but a ‘minor discrepancy’ in the count pushed the final result back to around midnight.

Elections expert Michael Thrasher tonight declared the contest was over based on figures already released which showed it was impossible for Mr Goldsmith to catch up on second preferences.

The bitterly contested battle had seen Mr Goldsmith and David Cameron repeatedly raise Mr Khan’s ties to extremists.

But the interventions did not sway voters in the capital – and the Prime Minister is now facing a massive Conservative backlash over the tactics.

Mr Corbyn welcomed the victory by tweeting: ‘Can’t wait to work with you to create a London that is fair for all.’

A London Elects spokeswoman said: ‘The returning officer is currently updating candidates and agents. There were some small discrepancies with regard to the mayoral figures and we have to take the time to check them.

‘We’re doing the checking in conjunction with the Electoral Commission.

‘We have to take the time to resolve these issues. We are working towards a declaration at midnight. I apologise.’

Women’s Equality Party founder Sandi Toksvig performed an impromptu stand-up routine as the waiting continued in the London mayoral contest.

Mr Khan scored more than a million votes on the first round alone and appeared likely to rack up the largest individual mandate in British electoral history once second preference votes were included.

Steven Norris, a former MP and mayoral candidate, insisted it was ‘no use having a dog whistle when everybody can hear it’ as he led criticism of Mr Goldsmith’s campaign.

Andrew Boff, the Conservative leader on the Greater London assembly, said the strategy had been a mistake and could damage relations with the Muslim community.

Roger Evans, a deputy to Boris Johnson at City Hall, also weighed in, warning that Mr Goldsmith’s campaign would leave a ‘negative legacy’.

In a remarkable broadside on the Tory mayoral candidate, Mr Boff said his party’s tactics could damage relations with the Muslim community.

Roger Evans, a deputy to Mr Johnson, also weighed in, warning that Mr Goldsmith’s campaign would leave a ‘negative legacy’.

And former Conservative mayoral hopeful Steven Norris pointedly said there was ‘no use having a dog whistle when everybody can hear it’.

Former Tory chairwoman Sayeeda Warsi said: ‘Our appalling dog whistle campaign for London Mayor 2016 lost us the election, our reputation & credibility on issues of race and religion.’

Even Mr Goldsmith’s sister Jemima said: ‘Sad that Zac’s campaign did not reflect who I know him to be- an eco friendly, independent- minded politician with integrity.’

She added: ‘Congratulations to Sadiq Khan – 1st Muslim Mayor of London- a city for all cultures, backgrounds & religions. A great example to young Muslims.’