SIR Keir Starmer is poised to hand Sir Sadiq Khan a gong in a bid to save his premiership.
The London Mayor, a major critic of Sir Keir, is widely tipped to be elevated to the Lords after the May 7 local elections.
It would bring him closer to the PM ahead of a possible leadership challenge.
The top honour would come despite Sir Sadiq spending months openly criticising the Labour leader over his stances on Brexit, Gaza and immigration.
After what is set to be a bruising set of election results, Sir Keir is also expected to reshuffle his top team, potentially drawing some of his fiercest rivals into Cabinet roles to head off any threat of a coup.
Downing Street yesterday insisted the London Mayor is not in line for a gong.
The PM is nevertheless expected to appoint his as one of around 40 new peers from across the political divide.
They will include 25 hereditary peers whose automatic right to sit in the House of Lords is being scrapped.
In the wake of the Gorton and Denton by-election, where the Greens surged to victory, Sir Sadiq criticised the PM for branding the party “extreme”.
Writing in the Guardian, he said: “The vast majority of those who are thinking of voting Green are not extreme.
“Many share our values and hopes for the country, but are disappointed with the government.
“Calling them extreme will only turn more people away.”
The London Mayor has stopped short of calling for the PM to be replaced, but warned his “good work” risks being overshadowed by “missteps and political positioning”.
Reform UK London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham said: “You almost feel that the House of Lords has become a consolation prize.
“After years of rising crime and a massive fall in trust, Londoners are told to send Sadiq Khan to the House of Lords so he can watch over them for life.”
