Sadiq Khan Convicted of Car Tax Offense in Alleged Scam

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been convicted and fined after being accused of failing to tax a 24 year old Nissan Micra. A magistrate in Herefordshire found Khan guilty in his absence through the Single Justice Procedure, ordering him to pay a 220 pound fine, 85 pounds in costs, and 35.84 pounds in unpaid tax. A spokesperson for the mayor stated that Khan does not own the vehicle and is the victim of a scam, noting that this is not the first time people have falsely registered vehicles in his name.

Court documents reveal that the DVLA sent letters regarding the unpaid tax to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant in east London rather than to the mayor's offices at Transport for London. The DVLA stated that Khan's name and date of birth appeared on official government records for the blue 2002 Nissan Micra, which was spotted untaxed on January 24. The agency is now reviewing the case and investigating the circumstances of the prosecution. An application has been made to reopen the case and withdraw the prosecution.

The incident follows protests by motorists over the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London. Some protesters had previously suggested registering cars in the mayor's name to make him liable for the daily charge.

Several reports highlight the nature of the Single Justice Procedure used in the conviction. This fast track system allows magistrates to handle low level criminal cases in private. Critics have described it as conveyor belt justice, and the system is currently under government review following reports of unlawful convictions involving children and sick pensioners.