Must... not... laugh...

[khaosworks]

Blair Fails to Register Car for Toll

LONDON - Prime Minister Tony Blair failed to register his family car for London's congestion charge and could face fines, his office said Sunday.

As a resident of central London, the prime minister qualifies for a 90 percent discount on the $8 daily charge, introduced last month to help ease the traffic gridlock that often paralyzes the capital.

His Downing Street office said Blair had been paying at the discounted rate, but had not registered his vehicle with City Hall because "he has been busy."

"If there are any fines to pay, then he will of course pay them," said a spokesman on customary condition of anonymity, adding that the matter had now been "sorted out."

The spokesman declined to comment on a report in The Sunday Times newspaper that Blair could face fines of more than $1,600.

Blair is the most high profile figure to fall foul of the toll, introduced by London Mayor Ken Livingstone - an old political foe.

Since taking office, Livingstone has clashed frequently with Blair's government over its plans to partially privatize London's subway system.

City Hall had no comment on Blair's failure to register.

The prices are in US dollars. If I didn't know better, I'd half suspect this was Ken Livingstone's revenge for all the times his balls have been busted by New Labour...