Sadiq Khan has refused to send cars destined for the scrapheap under Ulez to Ukraine, where they are needed on the front line.
The Mayor of London blocked plans to send vehicles – typically 4x4s and pick-up trucks – to the war zone.
Motorists can claim a one-off payment of £2,000 to scrap their car which does not comply with Ulez regulations.
Those non-compliant vehicles which includes diesel cars registered before September 2015 and petrol cars registered before January 2006, must pay a daily charge of £12.50.
Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv wrote to Khan in September following the launch of the scrappage scheme asking if some of the vehicles could be donated to Ukraine.
He said the move would have “enormous potential” and be used in a “variety of life-saving and transport roles”.
However, Khan responded to the request stating that he could not comply because it did not meet the “legal threshold” that requires the Ulez scrappage scheme to benefit Londoners from an “economic, social and environmental perspective”.
The Conservative candidate for mayor of London, Susan Hall has criticised Khan’s decision.
“Sadiq Khan’s refusal to send scrapped Ulez cars to Ukraine, citing a legal quirk, is absurd,” she told the Telegraph.
“Londoners who choose to scrap their cars should have the freedom to decide for themselves if they want their car sent to support Ukraine.
“Standing with Ukraine against tyrants like Putin is not only a moral imperative but also in the best interest of all Londoners and the global community.”
More to follow…
