The Labour Party has reported Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate in the London mayoral election, to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), alleging scaremongering in her election campaign materials. The controversy centers around a leaflet distributed by Hall’s campaign, which claims that the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, intends to implement a pay-per-mile road charging system. Khan has denied these plans.

This accusation is part of a heated campaign in the run-up to the London mayoral election, set to take place on May 2, 2024. Labour MP Karen Buck has criticized the Conservatives for employing what she described as questionable tactics, particularly amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

In her defence, Susan Hall has refuted the charges on social media, urging voters to prevent Khan’s alleged road charging plans and claiming he has already spent significant amounts on relevant technology. However, Transport for London has countered this claim by confirming that no such pay-per-mile scheme is under development.

This electoral dispute occurs alongside broader discussions about policies and promises from various candidates. Khan has announced ambitious targets to eliminate rough sleeping in London by 2030 and proposed the establishment of a City Hall-owned housing developer to tackle the city’s housing crisis if re-elected. His competitor, Hall, has proposed extending the Night Tube services to improve safety and boost the capital’s nightlife. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie has emphasized tackling sexual offences in the city, with plans to establish a specialized unit within the Metropolitan Police.

As the election approaches, all candidates are laying out their visions for London’s future, addressing rising concerns such as homelessness, housing, public transportation, and public safety. The CPS is currently reviewing the Labour Party’s complaint regarding the Conservative campaign’s leaflet.