Ghana Among Diplomats owing ?120,000 in parking fines

Ghana is one of the diplomatic missions in the UK owing more than ?120,000 in unpaid parking and traffic fines.

The UK Foreign Office has revealed the United Arab Emirates tops the table of foreign states failing to pay, with 323 outstanding fines totalling ?12,830.

According to the latest figures it is followed by Libya, which has 226 outstanding fines worth ?8,940 and then China (195 fines at ?7,790) and Egypt (97 fines worth ?3,790).

Other culprits include Ghana, France, Algeria, Morocco and the Ukraine. A total of 60 countries have 11 or more unpaid fines, owing ?107,680 between them.

Last year the diplomatic missions faced fines worth ?173,180. After writing to all missions and international organisations in April, offering the chance to either pay up or appeal, the Foreign Office received ?52,200.

The figures also showed that 20 serious offences allegedly committed by individuals from among the 20,000 protected by diplomatic immunity were reported to the Foreign Office last year.

A "serious offence" is any that could normally result in a jail term of 12 months or more.