Havering Council has been accused of “rolling over” and accepting the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), to appease London mayor Sadiq Khan.

An email released under Freedom of Information laws shows Labour leader Keith Darvill told council leader Ray Morgon that “a more nuanced approach is required”, to keep the mayor on side.

Tory councillor David Taylor called it “a tale of weak leadership that puts relationships before principles".

Labour and Cllr Morgon’s Havering Residents Association (HRA) went into coalition in May 2022.

Six months later, Mayor Khan announced that the anti-pollution ULEZ would expand to include Havering.

From August, Havering drivers whose vehicles emit high levels of potentially lethal pollution will be charged £12.50 each day they drive it.

Critics say the scheme targets those who cannot afford newer, less polluting cars and that the impending scheme makes it even harder to sell their old cars and upgrade.

A £110m scrappage scheme will offer grants to people on low incomes, in receipt of disability benefits, and some charities and small businesses.

Cllr Taylor obtained emails sent between council leaders after the expansion was announced.

On November 27, Cllr Darvill emailed Cllr Morgon and council chief executive Andrew Blake-Herbert, attaching a “revised statement”.

While Labour felt the expansion should be delayed, he wrote, “at the same time we are keen to develop a closer relationship with the mayor, the deputy mayors and assembly members”.

“A strident message in our comms will make it more difficult to build the relationships which we believe are essential,” he added.

Romford Recorder: Havering Labour leader Keith Darvill emailed council leader Ray Morgon a 'revised statement' responding to the ULEZ expansion, saying Havering needed to take 'a more nuanced approach' to 'build relationships' at City HallHavering Labour leader Keith Darvill emailed council leader Ray Morgon a 'revised statement' responding to the ULEZ expansion, saying Havering needed to take 'a more nuanced approach' to 'build relationships' at City Hall (Image: David Taylor)

Havering Council did not release the amended statement – only the email it was attached to.

Cllr Darvill and Cllr Morgon told the Romford Recorder they did not remember what changes Labour suggested or whether they were adopted.

We asked Cllr Darvill if he would release the original statement and his amended one, but he did not respond.

However, he said he was sure his revision “wasn’t substantial”.

“David Taylor’s response is nonsense,” he said.

“He’s making a political point out of it without looking at the importance of trying to work with the mayor to get improvements for our borough.”

“We’re talking seven or eight months ago,” said Cllr Morgon. “I’ve had so much to do with the ULEZ. I can’t remember every single thing I’ve done at every single stage.”