Boris Johnson pays Porsche £400,000
London Mayor scraps vehicle pollution charge but picks up bill for car manufacturer's legal fees
NEWLY ELECTED London Mayor Boris Johnson is to scrap a plan to levy a £25 charge on the most polluting vehicles in the capital, it emerged last night.
In doing so Johnson will have to pay about £400,000 to luxury sports car mnaufcaturer, Porsche, after agreeing the proposal, put forward by the former mayor, Ken Livingstone, earlier this year.
Yesterday Johnson withdrew the proposal, and a court ruled that the Greater London Authority should pay Porsche's legal costs. The German manufacturer says it will give the money to Skidz - a charity which offers youngsters training in mechanical skills and maintenance.
A spokesman for Johnson said the mayor was required to cover Porsche's legal fees after agreeing not to contest its original challenge, adding it was the "most cost effective way" to end the scheme.
