Update - London Mayor Khan Demands More Autonomy

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has demanded greater autonomy for the U.K. capital in the wake of Britain leaving the EU.



London, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in the union and many have expressed concerns the British exit, or Brexit, could harm London's economy.



Khan, who became Britain's most senior Muslim politician when he was elected to his role last month, said he was not calling for London to become a city-state.



"But on behalf of all Londoners, I am demanding more autonomy for the capital -- right now," he told a conference organized by The Times newspaper in London.



"More autonomy in order to protect London's economy from the uncertainty ahead, to protect the businesses from around the world who trade here and to protect our jobs, wealth and prosperity."



He said the decision to leave the EU was not reversible but that Britain must remain within the European single market.



"I'm sure that I don't need to tell you why: 500 million customers, nearly half of all British exports, the passporting of our financial services, the foundation of British jobs, wealth and prosperity," Khan said.



"Remaining in the single market needs to be priority one, two and three of our negotiation with the EU. And what's more -- I am confident we can achieve this."



The London mayoralty, which was established 16 years ago, holds a sweeping range of powers over housing, transport and the emergency services but has limited taxation powers and Khan argued the city needed to be able to spend more of what it raises.



Scottish talks with Brussels



Later Tuesday, lawmakers in Scotland's devolved parliament authorized First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to hold direct talks with EU officials in Brussels.



Sturgeon said her talks would not necessarily lead to a renewed push for Scottish independence but said the option remained on the table.



"I want to be clear to parliament that whilst I believe that independence is the best option for Scotland, it is not my starting point in these discussions," she said. "My starting point is to protect our relationship with the EU.



"However, let me clear about this -- if the government does conclude that the best or only way to protect Scotland's place in the EU is through a referendum on independence we will return to parliament with that judgment and it will then, at that time, be for parliament to decide."



Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson warned against attempting another independence referendum.



"I've heard the first minister telling us that this motion today is nothing to do with independence," she said. "And yet, in the days since the result last week, it feels to many people across Scotland that the SNP [Scottish National Party] is talking about nothing but independence". -