US Embassy claims are unsustainable

Published in The Times August 20, 2009 on Thu 20th Aug 2009

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6802440.ece

Sir, The decision by the new US Ambassador in London to adopt the same stance as his predecessor is a depressing development for everyone who hoped a new Administration in the White House would lead to some of the most abrasive aspects of the US relationship with the UK coming to an end ("Boris spat with US over £3m charge," Aug 18). As your editorial clearly demonstrates, the congestion charge is unquestionably a charge, as opposed to a tax.

The claims made by the US Embassy are, indeed, intellectually unsustainable. However, it should also be noted that the stance adopted is not even consistent around the world, as in other capitals road and bridge tolls and other charges are paid by US embassies. The US Embassy in London has not even adopted a consistent policy in London, as between 2003 and 2005 the US Embassy did actually pay the congestion charge.

At present 70 per cent of diplomatic missions in London pay the congestion charge. The US Embassy should be ashamed that it tops the league of non-payers, and that its example is followed by countries such as Cuba, Iran and Libya.

Caroline Pidgeon

Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee