Piers Morgan has turned fire on Sadiq Khan in his latest column for the Daily Mail, accusing the Mayor of London of "a staggering, jaw-dropping lack of self-awareness".

The Good Morning Britain host has been highly critical of the government's response to the coronavirus crisis, as well as Khan for his lack of provision of personal-protective equipment (PPE) for London's transport workers.

At least 42 Transport for London workers have died from coronavirus - including a female ticket inspector who was spat at by a man claiming to have the disease - and now Khan has avoided Londoners to "avoid public transport as much as possible".

Citing the death figures, Morgan wrote: "This is all a complete disgrace, and shocking negligence by the Mayor.

"What a staggering, jaw-dropping lack of self-awareness.

"The internet keeps receipts, Mayor Khan, and so do TV shows like GMB. The reason people kept using public transport when the virus first erupted in London is because YOU told them there was no risk. The reason people have been risking their lives without social distancing on public transport this week is because YOU slashed services.

"The reason this matters so much is that if YOU can't protect commuters, and companies can't get their staff to work safely, then there will a stampede to work-for-home, London it will lose its middle classes and tax base and quickly become a hollowed out financial wasteland.

"And the reason the Mayor's deep sudden concern for people's health grates so badly with me is because so many have needlessly died as a result of his abject complacency and failure to adequately protect them. I can't emphasise how much of a dithering disaster Mayor Khan has been during this crisis. And I didn't need an expert to tell me."

Earlier today the government provided TFL with an emergency £1.6 billion bailout to keep services running, having steadily built up a sizeable deficit during Khan's term as Mayor.