Transport bosses are chasing more than £42 million in unpaid fines from foreign embassies who claim they should not have to pay the congestion charge, the Standard can reveal.
Over 100 embassies still have outstanding penalty charge notices dating back seven years, but insist they should not pay because they are covered by diplomatic immunity.
The United States embassy tops the list owing £4.2million, followed by Russia at £3.6million and Japan and Germany who owe £3million each since the scheme was introduced in February 2003.