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Fine-dodging US won't pay up
01/05/2006 22:41 - (SA)
London - The mayor of London lashed out at US diplomats on Monday for refusing to pay a vehicle levy in the capital after figures revealed the American embassy was the worst fine dodger in the past six months.
It racked up £271 000 ($495 000) in fines over that period, according to data released under freedom of information laws.
The embassy of Angola, however, is the worst overall offender, generating more than £500 000 in penalties since the so-called congestion charge in central London was launched in February 2003.
The US embassy decided in July last year it would not pay the levy, arguing it was a local tax and therefore did not apply to foreign diplomats.
Row with London mayor
This move triggered an angry row with London mayor Ken Livingstone, who insists all embassies should pay the £8-a-day charge.
"It really is remarkable that the richest country in the world topped the congestion charge non-payers' league over the last six months," Livingstone said on Monday.
"The British government has clearly told the embassy that the congestion charge is not a tax, it is a charge for a service - reduced congestion - from which US diplomats benefit.
"British diplomats respect British law in the USA, United States diplomats should do the same in this country. By refusing to do so, they bring their entire government into disrepute."
Nigeria, Angola, Sudan next on list
In the list of biggest fine dodgers over the past six months, the US embassy was followed by Nigeria with £202 150 in penalties; Angola at £127 150 and Sudan at £94 250.
In total, the Angolan embassy owes £504 450; Sudan owes £356 870; the United States owes £307 050 and Nigeria owes £317 120.
The figures were released late last week following a request by the BBC and London's Evening Standard newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act.
Motorists are fined £100 if they fail to pay the congestion charge. This is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days but eventually rises to £150 if unpaid.
- AFP
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