Sadiq Khan refused the ban on sending SUVs to Ukraine

Boris Johnson has criticized his successor's initial decision to block the shipment of vehicles to Ukraine. Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS

Sadiq Khan backtracked and said he supported the idea of ​​sending SUVs that would otherwise have been scrapped under Ulez's ownership to Ukraine, in response to the Telegraph campaign.

The Mayor of London earlier blocked vehicles that did not meet Ulez's requirements from being sent to the war zone because he said the move would not benefit Londoners from an environmental, economic or social perspective.

Now it's a victory The Telegraph Khan has retracted his decision and asked Transport Secretary Mark Harper to provide «Londoners and others across the country with the opportunity to donate suitable vehicles to Ukraine through scrappage schemes.»

In a joint letter, written with Ben Wallace, the former defense secretary, states: «This could most quickly be achieved by changing national rules on the issuance of a Certificate of Destruction, which is required as evidence that a vehicle has been finally disposed of, to instead allow the export of eligible vehicles to Ukraine through a registered charitable or national scheme.»

The letter, sent on Friday, added: “We hope you will work with us to ensure Londoners and others around the world can get paid to take polluting vehicles off our city streets while delivering vital services. support to the people of Ukraine.»

It comes after Boris Johnson, the former prime minister who was also Mr Khan's predecessor as London mayor, said he believed Londoners would like to play a role in helping Ukraine fight Vladimir Putin's regime , sending his cars to the front line.

He called Mr. Khan's initial decision to block the move «petty and ridiculous.»

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«Ukrainians are more than capable of solving quality problems themselves air, they now need help to defeat a threat that is infinitely more dangerous, and that is President Putin. Khan’s actions seem extraordinary,” he said.

In December, Khan wrote to the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, saying he would not allow cars about to be scrapped of the Ulez to be sent to Ukraine.

Mr Johnson, who served as mayor of London between 2008 and 2016 year, said his successor's initial argument under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 regarding benefits for Londoners was «short-sighted».

“His legal reasons for doing this are therefore very fragile,” he said. “Obviously, this benefits Londoners, in the sense that Londoners deeply value and cherish the idea of ​​​​Ukrainian freedom.

“London's success depends on its freedom and democracy. It is vital for London that we defend these principles everywhere.”

Vital support

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, numerous voluntary organizations moved donated SUVs and larger vehicles for use by soldiers on the front line in Ukraine.

Mr Johnson added that he was in favor of Michael Gove's recent letter to Mr Khan, where the Communities Secretary said, that he will seek to overturn the mayor's decision using the powers granted to him in his office.

“Ukraine will confirm that the British people share a special affinity for the Ukrainian cause and a particularly strong moral conviction, as adamant as any population in the world in [their defence],” Mr Johnson said, adding: “The people of Britain want to see a free Ukraine, and I'm sure they will want to send cars and everything they can to support Ukraine.»

However, Mr Johnson, who was Prime Minister when Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, and who has established close relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the machines were more of a “gesture” compared to the air power that the war zone really needs.

“We have to admit «That's a very small thing. It's something we can do and, frankly, we should be doing more,» Mr Johnson added.

«While that's a good thing, from a compassionate point of view it's , frankly speaking, trivial. We need to give the Ukrainians the air cover and mine clearance capabilities and long-range artillery fire they need to drive the Russians and Putin's army out of their country.»