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US stands firm on embassy's unpaid C-charge
Peter Dominiczak17 Aug 2009
The American embassy will continue not to pay the congestion charge despite the appointment of a new ambassador to London.
The US State Department said there would no change in policy from President Barack Obama's representative Louis Susman although the president has called for action against vehicle emissions and greener policies.
The announcement dashes hopes that nearly £3.5million in outstanding fines may be paid off.
The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square has refused to pay, claiming that the levy is a tax and as such diplomats are immune. It is a policy that other embassies share. In all, overseas embassies in the capital owe a combined £28million. America's fines are the highest - above Russia, which owes £2.6million, and Japan with fines of £2.3million.
Under Mr Obama, billions of dollars have been set aside to encourage green energy projects in the US. His greener stance raised hopes that the congestion charge policy would be changed.
Last month, London Assembly member Murad Qureshi wrote to Mr Obama urging him to overturn the "mean spirited" policy implemented under the US's former ambassador to Britain, Robert Tuttle. He wrote: "Many here feel this was an ignoble attitude from the ambassador of the wealthiest country on earth, and one that set an unfortunate tone."
Mr Qureshi called on Mr Obama to issue a presidential decree ordering the new ambassador to reverse Mr Tuttle's decision.
But two weeks after Mr Susman's arrival, a Department of State spokesman said: "There has been no change in policy regarding the congestion tax. This is a long standing US policy and is not changed by the change in ambassador."
Sian Berry, principal speaker for the Green Party, said: "I honestly expected them to change this, for them it is not a lot of money."
Reader views (11)
The congestion charge is NOT a tax. It is an iniquitous extra charge forced upon motorists. No different from road tolls on motorways (Dartford crossing, Severn Bridge and so on.) Whilst it is in operation, the foreign embassies that do not pay up are showing their utter disregard for their host country and I am appalled that the United States is amongst them. Discourtesy at the very least and disingenious at the extreme. So sad that the country that is so happy to interfere everywhere and attempt to impose its will on the world is so unwilling to obey the lwas of the country where it has its embassy. I had hoped that with a change in the Presidency improvements would appear. I am still waiting, Mr Obama.
- Francis Glazer, Finestrat, Alicante, Spain, 18/08/2009 00:52
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Arrogant, over bearing and insensitive. Do they pay road tax on their cars?
- Patricia, LONDON, 17/08/2009 17:02
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An individual with fines racked up against them would most likely have the Court Baliffs after them for payment. Perhaps Boris ought to consider this option for the non-paying Embassies as it has been going on for far too long.
- Mrmugambo, London, Engalnd, 17/08/2009 16:49
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Why don't they impound diplomat's cars with unpaid C-charges whenever they are spotted parked?
For diplomatic plates, I'd suggest that the car pound be located in (say) Newcastle-upon-Tyne. That's because if the diplomat turns up in person, he can claim diplomatic immunity, and his car back without payment. But it would be inconvenient to go all that way. When news of this new policy gwts out, they'll start paying up if they ever want to park on the streets again!
- Nigel, London, 17/08/2009 16:06
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Continue to FINE THEM!
Do our laws mean nothing and can be flouted.
Clamp the cars or just tow them away.
- William Jenkins, london, 17/08/2009 13:47
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Dead simple, do what they do to the people that actually belong in London, ie the Londoners, Clamp the car, Tow it away and if the 'fine', note 'fine', not tax, is note paid crush the car.
If the Americans don't like it let them put their embassy in Northern Ireland where far to many claim they are decended from.
We Londoners would be a lot better off without American 'stuff you we do we want in your (or is it now our) country'.
- Jock, London, England, 17/08/2009 13:11
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It's double taxation plain & simple you pay road tax & fuel tax to use the roads, this is yet another tax plain & simple. Vote Labour = Vote Taxes
- Richard, London, 17/08/2009 13:09
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Leaving aside the fact that the article tries to link the Congestion Charge with emissions reduction (which is not why it was introduced, at least not until the Inebriated Newt thought it might earn a few votes), does this mean that when I go on hols to the US later this year, I can refuse to pay tolls to use their "freeways" (another misnomer)?
No, it doesn't. So Boris or one of his cohorts needs to square up to Uncle Sam and get him to pay the money that is owed. This has been going on for too long and it's about time someone had the cojones to resolve it.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 17/08/2009 13:05
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This issue is symbolic for everything that is wrong with America: the country does whatever it pleases, and expects everyone else to bow down to its wishes, demands, and bad behavior. Nothing has changed under Obama, except that US belligerence has, for the time being, a kinder, gentler face. Of course the UK is also at fault in this problem, as it has historically worshipped, followed and obeyed America with all the passion of a lapdog.
- Ellen Wolters, Utrecht, Netherlands, 17/08/2009 12:08
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It's that special relationship again!
- Jo, London, 17/08/2009 11:56
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Its a tax stupid and the US along with any other sensible foreign embassies are exempt this iniquitous 'Ken Livingston tax' !!! Get it Mr Qureshi it's a tax.
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 17/08/2009 11:39
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