LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a second EU referendum, criticizing the government’s handling of Brexit negotiations with the EU.

In a Sunday op-ed published in The Observer, Khan said the British public has the right to “take back control” of the issue after U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s “abject failure” to negotiate a good Brexit deal for the country.

Britain is due to leave the European Union at the end of March, but Khan warned the country currently faces two “incredibly risky” options ― both of which could have devastating impacts on the economy and people’s living standards.

“The unfortunate reality is that Theresa May has failed to negotiate a Brexit position with her own party ― let alone agree on a deal with the EU,” Khan wrote. “With time rapidly running out, we are left with two possibilities ― a bad deal, which could end up being so vague that we leave the EU blind to what our future relationship will be, or a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.”

“Both these scenarios are a million miles from what was promised during the referendum campaign, only further exposing the lies and mistruths sold to the public,” Khan continued.

A “no-deal” would mean that Britain would exit the EU without a transition period. That would raise a host of questions about trade relations, the Northern Ireland border and the rights and privileges for the millions of citizens of EU nations residing in the U.K. and vice versa ― U.K. citizens living in EU countries.

May, who has faced mounting criticism at home over her handling of the Brexit negotiations, has repeatedly pushed back against suggestions of holding a second public vote on the issue.

(SD-Agencies)