Ken 'zero-tolerance' Livingstone escapes fine after being caught
'dodging train fare'
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:22 AM on 18th March 2009
Ken Livingstone once warned he would show no mercy to fare dodgers,
declaring: 'Freeloading will not be tolerated.'
Yesterday, the former London mayor was spared his own 'zero-tolerance'
approach after being caught travelling by train without a ticket.
Despite failing to pay the £7.50 single fare from Paddington in London
to Slough, Berkshire, he escaped the 'automatic' £20 fine for the
offence.
Mr Livingstone, 63, admitted his error at the ticket barrier but was
simply waved through by staff and allowed to buy the fare from a ticket
machine.
Rail firm First Great Western claims to have a hardline attitude to fare
dodging, which costs it £50million a year. It has fined tens of
thousands of passengers in recent years and took more than 1,000 to
court in 2005 alone.
Asked why Mr Livingstone was let off, a spokesman said: 'The station
manager has the power to waive a fine if a valid excuse has been
proffered.
'It was decided not to impose a penalty as it was a first occasion and
Mr Livingstone was warned not to do this again.
'He said he was late and had to run for the train.'
However, a witness said the former mayor was greeted with smiles by
staff, who gave no warning. He added: 'Mr Livingstone had the good grace
to look embarrassed. The staff seemed to think it was funny.
'I asked one why he hadn't been made to pay a penalty like any normal
person and he quipped, "Come on, he doesn't have a job, does he".'
Mr Livingstone has a lucrative career as a £13,000-a-night public
speaker and hosts a radio show on London station LBC.
Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: 'It is utter hypocrisy.
He has been let off just because he is famous. Other people using the
same excuse have been prosecuted.'
LibDem transport spokesman Norman Baker said: 'This sends out the wrong
message. It's a poor example to set.'
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