Embassies Rack Up Record Parking Tickets

One of Ken Livingstone's favourite rabble-rousing turns was to indulge himself in a spot of America-bashing - particularly the US ambassador, whom he once described as a "chiselling little crook" over his refusal to pay the congestion charge. Turns out they're all at it: foreign embassies in London owe over £1.5 million in unpaid parking tickets. Most impressive is one Sudanese diplomat who has notched up 349 separate tickets, while no less interesting is the excuse offered by an Afghan embassy spokesperson who made the startling claim that staff and visitors find it "difficult to park" near their Knighstbridge base. Difficult to park? In London? Fancy that. Photo / xrrr