The US Embassy in London has refused to pay the congestion charge, declaring it an ‘illegal tax’.

The Forum for Private Businesses has welcomed the defiance, as they are campaigning for the charge to be suspended on the run up to Christmas.

“At least the US recognises the congestion charge as the cynical stealth tax on visitors to London it really is,” said Victoria Carson of the FPB.

“Unfortunately your ordinary shopper and visitor to London cannot claim diplomatic immunity from this tax unlike the American embassy staff,” she added.

The US Embassy said the congestion charge was an illegal tax under the Vienna Convention and has instructed their diplomats not to pay the £8 charge.