Mass protest by cabbies threatens West End gridlock

Boris Johnson has given the controversial minicab firm Uber seven days to reveal whether it is based in London or Amsterdam.

The ultimatum came just hours before a mass protest by London taxi drivers which threatens to gridlock the West End. Uber uses smartphone technology and GPS satellites to calculate fares.

The cabbies claim it breaks a law which says only traditional taxis can use a meter. Uber and its drivers are licensed by Transport for London but there's confusion over where the company is based.

Uber's terms and conditions refer to a private limited liability company established in the Netherlands. Unless the firm can prove it is based in London, it could lose its right to operate. Today's demonstration is set for a showdown between cabbies and the police after Scotland Yard imposed tough restrictions.

Thousands of drivers are threatening to bring Trafalgar Square and surrounding streets to a standstill.