Laurence Fox has refuted claims that he incited individuals to vandalize ultra low emission zone (Ulez) cameras in London.
The actor-turned-politician reportedly posted on X about dismantling the cameras and lauded a group of anti-Ulez activists referred to as the “Blade Runners.”
According to Westminster Magistrates’ Court, his posts, made between September 12 and October 4, 2023, were “sufficiently influential to promote the execution of an either-way offence.”
The 46-year-old entered a plea of not guilty to accusations of purposefully encouraging or aiding the commission of such an offence.
Prosecutors indicated that in the timeframe in question, there were approximately 700 recorded instances of damage to the cameras, amounting to over £920,000 in damages, as reported by Transport for London (TfL).
Legal guidelines state that inciting someone to threaten property damage can incur penalties equivalent to those for making the threat itself, which can lead to a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
Mr. Fox has been granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Croydon Crown Court on June 13.
Incidents of camera damage have surged following the expansion of the Ulez zone to encompass the entirety of London in 2023.
These cameras are utilized by TfL to track vehicles entering and exiting the designated area.
Cars that fail to meet the set emissions standards are obligated to pay a £12.50 daily charge when operating within the Ulez zone, or they risk incurring a fine.
Online videos have surfaced depicting “Blade Runners” severing the cameras’ wiring or entirely removing them.