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Russia’s ‘question of principle’ over £3m unpaid congestion charge bill
Will Stewart22 Dec 2009
Russia's ambassador to London has warned Boris Johnson over an attempt to force the Kremlin to pay £3 million in congestion charge fees owed by its diplomats.
Yury Fedotov said Russia would not pay up as a “question of principle”. He spoke out after the London Assembly launched a campaign to force the Mayor into pressuring foreign heads of state on the issue.
Russia has refused to pay the charge for their staff driving into central London, claiming it violates the Vienna Convention.
They are one of about 50 countries refusing to pay. Experts claim that at least £28 million is owed to Transport for London by countries that insist the charge is a tax from which they are exempt. The US is the worst offender, owing £3,446,520.
Last week the Assembly urged the Mayor to write to the head of state for each country that refuses to pay and ask for an explanation. Responding to the motion, Mr Fedotov said: “I have my doubts on an announcement that this issue be brought to the level of government heads.
“Such further political demonstrations like sending letters to heads of states won't help the issue and the issue at hand should be solved through agreements and consultations with all of the interested parties.”
Russia, like other countries, has pointed to New York and Copenhagen which have congestion charges but where diplomats are exempt.
“For us it's not an issue of money, it's a question of principles,” said Mr Fedotov.
“We believe the congestion charge is actually a tax and not a fee because in this case you aren't receiving any services. This is counter to the Vienna Convention on diplomatic privileges and immunity.”
Russia has taken legal advice which supports its case, said Mr Fedotov, a former deputy foreign minister who has been in London since 2005.
In September America's new ambassador to London snubbed the Mayor's calls to pay its backlog of congestion charges and fines.
Louis Susman, appointed by President Obama, said bluntly: “We don't think it's appropriate to pay.”
He also rejected pressure to pay about £50 million of VAT that the UK Government insists it is owed on the new embassy in Nine Elms. He defended the decision in the Financial Times on the grounds that conventions state diplomats do not have to pay taxes.
Reader views (11)
Concrete proof that it is a tax and no benefit to congestion and pollution controls !
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 28/12/2009 16:03
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Nu Liebour are so intent on punishing the people of the UK they simply have not got time to pursue these parasites. If i visit a country i expect to respect and abide by their laws what ever they may be, and if i dont like them then its really simple Dont go there. The uk has ruled that the charge must be paid so lets see some enforcement / some clamping and cars impounded until they pay which is what we are subjected to. Or is this useless Government going to take the stance that these embassy people are above the law.
- Alan Davey, London UK, 22/12/2009 12:37
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Quote: Nm, Esher. My solution is a simple one. Although I am not Irish, I purchased and insured a car in Dublin a few years ago (registering it to a friend's address there). I have been driving this car into central London on a daily basis for the last three years and have never been invoiced for a penny of the congestion charge.
That is all very well, Nm; but once your congestion charges reach £3. Million, you will get your car clamped or scrapped, so pay your charges before they reach £3 million, or you will have to buy another car?
You can get two rollers for £3 million; or 4million Ladas..
- Mickinlondon, london, 22/12/2009 11:52
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My solution is a simple one. Although I am not Irish, I purchased and insured a car in Dublin a few years ago (registering it to a friend's address there). I have been driving this car into central London on a daily basis for the last three years and have never been invoiced for a penny of the congestion charge. I take the view that it is up to the enforcement authorities to chase me for this unfair tax. Clearly they haven't bothered so given that I pay tax through the nose (they are about to tax my bonus at 50% leaving somewhat even worse off this year), why should I volunteer for more financial punishment?
- Nm, Esher, 22/12/2009 11:14
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If "we" did that in russia we would have no cars left,they have ways of dealing with things like that.
- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh UK, 22/12/2009 10:57
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When all those bent MPs pay back their expense frauds; then they can expect other countries to do the same, till then its the pot calling the kettle black?
- Mickinlondon, london, 22/12/2009 10:55
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Good for the Kremlin, it is a tax and as such is exempt for them.
- P Staker, London, W8, 22/12/2009 10:42
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If foreign govts dont pay neither should the British public. This way the tax can be abolished and Londoners and other commuters can get on with their lives. Of course the villain in the piece Livingstone should be made to pay as it was is stupid idea in the first place. Foreign Govts keep up the pressure on behalf of the defensless public
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France., 22/12/2009 10:02
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I can't believe it's beyond the wit of our highly-paid, feather-bedded civil servants in both local and national government to come up with some sort of substitute for these outstanding VAT and congestion-charge bills.
Do their embassies pay absolutely nothing towards council services? If so, "adjust" their council-tax accordingly. What about the off-site accommodation of their staff, both diplomatic and non-diplomatic?
I'm sure I could find a way. So Boris and Gordon: just give me a call!
- Croyboy, Croydon, 22/12/2009 09:32
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So much for Gordon Brown and Borris Johnson's influence abroad. I hope, without expectation, that at least those countries that are in such constant benefit of the UK's munificence through Foreign Aid and other charity are at least not on the list of those who break the law in this way. I suggest that the Evening Standard publish a monthly list with individual totals owed of all those countries breaking the congestion charge and speeding and parking laws with such impunity. People might like to know that generally diplomatic staff are also immune from prosection for many different civil and other crimes.
- Helen, norwich, 22/12/2009 09:28
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Clamp them.
- Harry Barracuda, Manama, Bahrain, 22/12/2009 09:27
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