Boris Versus The United States Of America

It seems that the US embassy is once again in trouble with a London Mayor. Nothing to do with the Congestion Charge this time. Well, not much. No, the problem is mostly with the American government's plans to build itself a brand new embassy complex in Battersea by 2016. And Boris is not happy with what he has seen so far. First he thinks the £500 million 'Iceberg', as the building is known, with its surrounding 30-metre 'blast zone' is too big, not green enough and generally in breach of his planning guidelines for London. Boris is also trying to wiggle some cash out of the project. Crossrail is not coming anywhere near the planned embassy so the money would go towards an extension of the Northern Line from Kennington to Battersea Power Station. And yes, the issue of the unpaid CC is also rearing its ugly head. Here's to the special relationship. By Nicolas Chinardet. Image / Simon K