Met Police officer faces sack for 'dodging congestion zone charge by using mother's blue badge'
A Metropolitan Police officer faces the sack for allegedly dodging the London congestion charge when driving to work.
PC Mohamed Tarig is accused of using a car registered with his mother's blue badge to avoid the payments of between £11.50 and £15 over a dozen times between February 6, 2020 and March 19, 2021.
Blue badge holders can apply to TfL to be exempt from the congestion charge.
Mr Tarig will face a gross misconduct hearing later this month for using the permit designed for disabled drivers and passengers when his mother was not in the car.
He is also accused of “travelling extensively” while on “special leave” during the pandemic - in breach of Covid restrictions that were in place at the time.
The Met said: "It is alleged that PC Tarig travelled within the London congestion zone without paying the congestion charge whilst travelling to and from work 14 times within that 13 month period.
“The reason why he did not receive any charges is because the car he was driving was registered with a blue badge due to his mother's disability.
“It is alleged that PC Tarig knew, or ought to have known, at all material times that the blue badge could only be used by his mother and whilst she was using the car.”
The force added: “It is alleged that during April 2, 2020 and September 8, 2020 PC Tarig, whilst on special leave, travelled extensively which was in breach of the Covid Regulations in force at the time.
“Furthermore, PC Tarigs' movements were made at a time when he was unable to work on account of having to ensure his mother remained isolated, and whilst he was on special leave and unable to work.”
If found guilty at the hearing of September 19, Mr Tarig will face dismissal from the force.
The congestion charge increased from £11.50 to £15-a-day in June 2020.
It applies to drivers within the London Inner Ring Road, covering central London, between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 12pm and 6pm at weekends.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has faced criticism over plans to remove the congestion charge exemption for electric vehicles.
From December 25, 2025, TfL has said that drivers who previously paid £10 for a year's exemption from the congestion charge will have to pay the standard £15 daily fee in order to drive in the central London zone.