Grant Shapps blasts Sadiq Khan’s 'shameful' decision to block cars for Ukraine | The Sun
DEFENCE Secretary Grant Shapps has slammed London’s Mayor for blocking a plan to send scrapped cars to Ukraine.
Sadiq Khan rejected a proposal to allow polluting 4x4s ditched under his Ulez clean air scheme to help the fight against Russia.
Mr Shapps said it was another example of Mr Khan getting his priorities “badly wrong”.
The cabinet minister called on the Mayor to reconsider: “How can it be the right thing to scrap cars rather than give them an added life supporting the brave people of Ukraine?
“These are roadworthy vehicles that could help in the battle against a tyrant and it seems to have been stopped on a technicality.
“It’s another example of the mayor getting his priorities badly wrong. This is a shameful and embarrassing decision.
“Khan is doubling down on an unpopular policy and I hope voters will show him how wrong he is at the ballot box.”
Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko wrote to Mr Khan in September proposing that cars bound for the scrapheap under Ulez be adapted for use by the Ukrainian army.
Londoners can claim up to £2,000 to scrap their car which does not comply with Mr Khan’s controversial clean air regulations.
Mr Klitschko said the move would have “enormous potential” and be used in a “variety of life-saving and transport roles”.
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However, Mr Khan replied stating it did not meet the “legal threshold” that requires the scheme to benefit Londoners from an “economic, social and environmental perspective”, The Telegraph reported.
City Hall sources stressed it was not within his legal powers to implement and they have since set up a web page directing people to charity British Ukrainian Aid that has been donating vehicles to Ukraine.
A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: “Sadiq wants to support Ukraine in any way he can and is deeply frustrated that sending Londoners’ non-compliant ULEZ vehicles to Ukraine via the scrappage scheme is not within his legal powers.
“So instead he has set up a website enabling Londoners who have a suitable non-compliant vehicle to donate their vehicles directly to Ukraine.
“He’s also asked the GLA to work with TfL, London Fire Brigade and the Met to see whether they can send any suitable vehicles to Ukraine – and a number of London fire engines have already gone to help the cause.”
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