Dominic Raab the foreign secretary has revealed that foreign diplomats owe £116m in congestion charge debt.
North American diplomatic mission to the UK owed the most, with unpaid congestion charge debts of £12,446,845.
The Japanese diplomatic mission had the second largest debt, owing £8,510,650 after incurring 69,690 fines, according to Transport for London (TfL).
Raab said, “FCO officials write to diplomatic missions and international organisations with large congestion charge debts annually, to encourage payment.”
He said that in 2018 two Saudi Arabian diplomats were expelled after being caught drink driving.
Raab said, “We define serious offences as those which could, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment or more.
“Around 23,000 people are entitled to diplomatic or international organisation-related immunity in the UK and the majority of diplomats and dependants abide by UK law.
“The number of alleged serious offences committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low.
“We take all allegations of illegal activity seriously. When the police or other law enforcement agency bring instances of alleged criminal conduct to our attention, we ask the relevant foreign government or international organisation to waive immunity where appropriate.
“For the most serious offences, and when a relevant waiver has not been granted, we request the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat or dependant.”
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