THOUSANDS paused in silent tribute to remember the six million people murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War.

In his first public engagement since being elected on Friday, new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan marked Yom HaShoah at Allianz Park, in Hendon, on Sunday.

He said: “I am honoured that my first public engagement was such a poignant one, where I met and heard from Jewish survivors and refugees who went through the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust, yet have managed to not only build lives here in London but give so much back for the benefit of wider society.”

More than 3,000 people attended the Jewish National Holocaust Remembrance Day and celebrated 71 years since Victory in Europe.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the new Israeli Ambassador Mark Regev, Sir Eric Pickles and Rob Rinder – better known as TV’s Judge Rinder - also attended the event.

Mr Rinder, who is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, led the tribute to survivors, refugees and veterans.

The audience included representatives from 120 Jewish organisations and were joined by children from five Jewish primary schools, including Etz Chaim, Mathilda Marks Kennedy and Rosh Pinah, in a combined choir.

Speakers included Holocaust survivor Ben Helfgott MBE, who said: “I was moved to tears as I watched the children’s choir sing Never Again, and heard the leaders of our youth movements commit to marking Yom HaShoah each year.

“We are passing the baton of remembrance n to the UK Jewish community with a lot of confidence.”

Yom HaShoah UK Chairman Neil Martin said: “Sunday was a meaningful and historic day for our community and our society at a much needed moment.

“We were honoured that the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, attended as his first public engagement and show as Londoners we stand together as one. But most importantly of all we had the privilege of over 200 survivors, refugees and veterans join us at the ceremony, where we could thank them publicly for all they have done for our community and country.”