MPs Accuse Sadiq Khan of ‘Gross Discourtesy’ Over A20 Speed Camera Scandal

Three local Members of Parliament have publicly condemned London Mayor Sadiq Khan for ignoring repeated enquiries regarding the A20 speeding fine controversy, accusing City Hall of "hoping the matter will go away.

The joint letter, dated 2nd November 2026, was sent by Laura Trott MP (Sevenoaks), Gareth Bacon MP (Orpington), and Louie French MP (Old Bexley & Sidecup). It follows an initial formal letter sent on 15th October and a subsequent prompt on 26th October, neither of which received an acknowledgment or response from the Mayor's office.

City Hall Accused of Fleeing Responsibility

In the sharply worded correspondence from the House of Commons, the three cross-border MPs expressed deep frustration at the Mayor's lack of engagement.

"As a former Member of Parliament yourself, we are sure you would agree that it is grossly discourteous not to engage with us over this serious matter," the MPs wrote, adding that City Hall’s silence gives the distinct impression that officials are trying to sweep the issue under the carpet.

The growing political pressure follows a landmark decision at Kingston Crown Court (Transport for London v John Malcolm Abbott), which effectively found a temporary 40mph speed restriction order on the Kent-bound A20 between Sidcup and Swanley to be legally defective and unlawful. Despite the ruling, tens of thousands of motorists remain penalised by average speed cameras that operated under the flawed traffic order.

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan speaking on Maritime Radio in 2023

TfL Accused of 'Morally Outrageous' Appeal Resistance

The MPs leveled severe criticism at Transport for London’s (TfL) recent legal strategy. Media reports indicate that TfL intends to exploit a legal technicality—noting that Crown Court judgments do not establish binding legal precedents—to resist future appeals from other motorists caught in the same speed trap. TfL has additionally pledged to back the Metropolitan Police in fighting anticipated appeals.

The MPs branded this defensive stance as "morally outrageous."

"The traffic order and the notice were found to be unlawful and a great many people have suffered significant harm as a result," the letter states. "City Hall seem to forget that people have been unfairly penalised by a mistake from an organisation ultimately answerable to you."

Demands for Immediate Financial Redress

The affected stretch of the A20 has penalised an estimated 66,000 drivers, with many facing severe consequences including driving disqualifications, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and lost employment.

Concluding their letter, Trott, Bacon, and French directly urged the Mayor to reverse his administration's defensive position and "immediately set up a dedicated redress scheme for all those affected." 

City Hall has yet to publicly comment on the MPs' latest letter or indicate whether a formal compensation path will be established for the thousands of London and Kent motorists caught by the defective order.