Sadiq Khan has warned that plans to force Channel 4 out of London will cause disruption “for years to come”.

The London Mayor was commenting on the mounting pressure the broadcaster faces from government to move out of its London headquarters.

While “Channel 4 will remain publicly owned”, under the Conservative manifesto it “will be relocated out of London”, though the department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport later said it had “always been clear that this did not necessarily mean the entire business would be relocated”.

However, speaking to the Evening Standard, Khan said: “A move out of London would undoubtedly lead to job losses in London and a disrupted Channel 4 operation for years to come.

“While we support efforts to grow the creative sector across the UK, we cannot support a move that is likely to damage a successful business.”

Recently appointed Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon is in “ongoing” talks with Culture secretary Karen Bradley.

The department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “Independent analysis makes clear the potential benefits of Channel 4 increasing its impact outside London.”