UK, US bicker over traffic fees
Source: Agencies |
June 29, 2010, Tuesday
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BRITAIN'S Foreign Office yesterday said the United States embassy was the worst offender among diplomatic missions for refusing to pay traffic congestion charges.
Foreign Secretary William Hague published figures that show the US owes 3.8 million pounds (US$5.75 million) after declining to pay a London traffic levy 35,602 times between February 2003, when the charge was introduced, and this January.
Diplomatic missions have racked up 36 million pounds in traffic fines, Hague said.
Some diplomats claim the charge is a local tax, thus they shouldn't have to pay.
Under diplomatic rules, embassy officials are exempt from local taxes.
Under the levy, drivers who enter central London during business hours must pay 8 pounds per day - a policy aimed at reducing congestion on the sometimes grid-locked roads of Britain's capital. The sum is increased if payment is not made immediately.
"The US embassy in London conscientiously abides by all UK laws, including paying fines for all traffic violations, such as parking and speeding violations," the embassy said in a statement.
It said it declines to pay the congestion charge under diplomatic rules. "It is a position shared by many other diplomatic missions in London," the embassy said.
Russia owes the second largest amount, or 3.2 million pounds. Japan has failed to pay 2.7 million pounds in levies, according to the Foreign Office figures.
Ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone once criticized the former US ambassador over his refusal to pay the levy, calling Robert Tuttle "a chiseling little crook."
Boris Johnson, London's mayor, disputes that foreign missions are exempt from the congestion levy under diplomatic rules. His office said three-quarters of all embassies in London choose to pay the congestion charge fee.
London's transport authorities will continue "to press any nonpaying embassies to live up to their obligations to their host city and pay the charge," Johnson's office said in a statement.
Hague also disclosed that there were 17 allegations of serious criminal offenses made against people with diplomatic immunity in 2009.
Allegations of human trafficking were made against a Saudi Arabian diplomat and an official at the Sierra Leone embassy. A Saudi Arabian official was accused of sexual assault and an official at the Pakistan High Commission was accused of making a threat to kill, Hague said.
Hague said embassies owed 534,000 pounds in unpaid fines for parking or other minor traffic violations.
Foreign Secretary William Hague published figures that show the US owes 3.8 million pounds (US$5.75 million) after declining to pay a London traffic levy 35,602 times between February 2003, when the charge was introduced, and this January.
Diplomatic missions have racked up 36 million pounds in traffic fines, Hague said.
Some diplomats claim the charge is a local tax, thus they shouldn't have to pay.
Under diplomatic rules, embassy officials are exempt from local taxes.
Under the levy, drivers who enter central London during business hours must pay 8 pounds per day - a policy aimed at reducing congestion on the sometimes grid-locked roads of Britain's capital. The sum is increased if payment is not made immediately.
"The US embassy in London conscientiously abides by all UK laws, including paying fines for all traffic violations, such as parking and speeding violations," the embassy said in a statement.
It said it declines to pay the congestion charge under diplomatic rules. "It is a position shared by many other diplomatic missions in London," the embassy said.
Russia owes the second largest amount, or 3.2 million pounds. Japan has failed to pay 2.7 million pounds in levies, according to the Foreign Office figures.
Ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone once criticized the former US ambassador over his refusal to pay the levy, calling Robert Tuttle "a chiseling little crook."
Boris Johnson, London's mayor, disputes that foreign missions are exempt from the congestion levy under diplomatic rules. His office said three-quarters of all embassies in London choose to pay the congestion charge fee.
London's transport authorities will continue "to press any nonpaying embassies to live up to their obligations to their host city and pay the charge," Johnson's office said in a statement.
Hague also disclosed that there were 17 allegations of serious criminal offenses made against people with diplomatic immunity in 2009.
Allegations of human trafficking were made against a Saudi Arabian diplomat and an official at the Sierra Leone embassy. A Saudi Arabian official was accused of sexual assault and an official at the Pakistan High Commission was accused of making a threat to kill, Hague said.
Hague said embassies owed 534,000 pounds in unpaid fines for parking or other minor traffic violations.
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