Mayor Accused Of Attempting To ‘Squash’ Scientific ‘Dissent’ Over ULEZ

Tory backlash to expansion ramps up

A free newspaper picturing on its front page London's Mayor Sadiq Khan following the ruling in favour, by Britain's High Court to extend Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, is displayed on a self-service stand, on July 28, 2023. Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images

London mayor Sadiq Khan has been accused of attempting to “squash dissent,” after his deputy, Shirley Rodrigues, asked a City Hall-funded expert to counter science that questioned the benefits of the proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion.

Ms. Rodrigues asked an academic, Professor Frank Kelly, who was in receipt of funding from Mr. Khan’s office, on two occasions to counter research and reporting about the ultra-low emission zone in the capital.