Diplomats in London owe £150m in congestion fees

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It comes as new figures given to MPs confirmed that 15 critical and important offences, together with sexual assault and drunk-driving, had been allegedly dedicated by diplomats or these entitled to diplomatic immunity between 2019-2022.

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The new particulars got here in two written ministerial statements printed by junior overseas minister David Rutley.

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The figures for alleged offences embrace the case of US citizen Anne Sacoolas, who hit 19-year-old Harry Dunn together with her automobile outdoors a army base in Northamptonshire in 2019.

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She had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf and was capable of return to the US after Harry died, however was later convicted of inflicting his demise in a UK court docket.

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One diplomat or dependent from Saudi Arabia confronted a historic allegation of contemporary slavery in 2019, whereas one from the US and one from Iraq confronted allegations of sexual assault.

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A spokesperson for the US Embassy stated the mission was “aware” of Mr Rutley’s assertion, however had “no comment on the specifics of this case”.

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They declined to say whether or not the person concerned was nonetheless working on the embassy, had been withdrawn from the UK or had their diplomatic immunity waived.

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Among different alleged offences had been fraud by abuse of place, cruelty to a toddler and driving inebriated.

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Mr Rutley additionally stated that the congestion cost debt owed by overseas embassies in London continues to develop, now totalling greater than £145 million.

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Since the introduction of London’s congestion cost in 2003, diplomats have claimed that it's a tax – making them exempt from paying it.

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“We consider that there are no legal grounds to exempt diplomatic missions and international organisations from the London congestion charge, which is comparable to a parking fee or toll charge they are required to pay,” Mr Rutley stated.

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As of December 2022 the US embassy owes the biggest debt, greater than £14 million.

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It is adopted by the Japanese embassy, which has racked up greater than £10 million in unpaid fees.

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The Office for the High Commissioner for India owes £8.5 million, whereas the Chinese embassy owes almost £8 million.

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The Russian embassy owes just below £6 million.

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