Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has backed “Blade Runners” who are targeting ULEZ cameras amid fury at Sadiq Khan’s much-hated expansion.
Hundreds of enforcement cameras installed by Transport for London (TfL) in outer London have been vandalised or stolen by vigilantes opposed to the controversial scheme.
Sir Iain, who represents Chingford and Woodford Green in north east London, said the rebellion shows “how angry” Londoners are.
According to the Daily Mail, the Conservative MP said: “A lot of people in my constituency have been cementing up the cameras or putting plastic bags over them.
“I am happy for them to do it because they are facing an imposition that no-one wants and they have been lied to about it.
“The actions you are seeing show how angry people are at what is being imposed on them.
“Sadiq Khan has gerrymandered all the information – people have had enough.”
Anti-ULEZ protesters have repeatedly targeted cameras in recent months ahead of the widening of the charging zone, which previously only covered central London, to the whole of the capital yesterday.
It means more drivers will be forced to pay the £12.50 daily fee for the most polluting vehicles in a bid to boost air quality.
Footage has circulated on social media showing people described as “Blade Runners” cutting the cameras’ wires or removing the devices.
The Met Police said it had recorded 288 crimes relating to the cameras as of August 1.
The London Mayor has pressed ahead with the scheme despite strong opposition from across the political spectrum.
A defiant Mr Khan yesterday defended the policy in a bruising round of interviews.
The Labour politician told BBC Breakfast: “We now have a really effective policy to reduce air pollution.
“It’s shown to be effective in central London and inner London, but I think clean air is a right not a privilege.
“What about outer London? Why shouldn’t they breathe clean air?
“Why should they carry on dying prematurely in numbers that could be reversed?”
