London Mayor Sadiq Khan convicted for failing to tax vehicle
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has been convicted of failing to tax a 24-year-old vehicle he asserts he does not own, resulting in a £340 court bill, reports BritPanorama.
Khan was found guilty in a private hearing conducted in his absence and is required to pay a £220 fine, along with £85 in costs, and cover an outstanding £35.84 tax bill for a Nissan Micra. City Hall representatives have stated that this vehicle does not belong to the Mayor or Transport for London.
Officials clarified that letters from the DVLA intended for Khan were mistakenly delivered to a nearby restaurant owned by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay rather than the offices of Transport for London. The administration is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the case.
This conviction follows public outrage after Khan expanded the ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) across London, prompting threats from some residents to register vehicles in his name. The Mayor faced significant backlash over this expansion, which many viewed as a targeted measure against drivers.
In 2024, Khan reportedly stood to gain £14 million from fines associated with ULEZ, a development that contributed to Transport for London’s doubled budget surplus that same year. Critics have accused him of treating Londoners as “walking ATMs” due to proposals for increased council tax.
Khan now risks further legal consequences should he fail to pay the imposed fines. If payment is not made within 28 days, he may face an increase in fines, involvement of bailiffs, or even a warrant for his arrest. Court records indicate that the DVLA initiated prosecution against him after the tax for the Micra lapsed in September of the previous year.
According to the DVLA, Khan’s name and date of birth were registered against the vehicle in official records. A request for confirmation regarding ownership remained unanswered, leading to the conviction. Despite the mistaken delivery of notices, Khan was convicted by magistrate Surinder Gidda at Herefordshire magistrates’ court after entering no plea.
Khan retains the option to petition for the case to be reopened if he believes the conviction was erroneous. This would necessitate his personal appearance before a judge, where he could argue his case.
If the case is reopened, Khan could request the DVLA to withdraw their prosecution or enter a not guilty plea, with the DVLA also having the possibility to apply for the court to reconsider the matter.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding transport regulations in London and the challenges faced by public officials as they navigate the complexities of urban governance.
