Popemobile To Avoid Congestion Charge

In what could be seen as either a generous or obsequious move, Boris Johnson has asked Transport for London to waive the congestion charge for the Popemobile as it drives the Holy Father around town during his visit. The Pope's converted Mercedes would have incurred the normal £8 charge when it arrives today, but the Mayor, placing the Vatican's financial affairs ahead of TfL's coffers, thinks it should be exempt. Foreign dignitaries are not normally so lucky: a long-running (and often bitter) disagreement with the US Embassy over the congestion charge has seen the American ambassador rack up £3.5 million in unpaid fines since it was introduced in 2003.