Allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate exposure are among the offenses reportedly perpetrated by individuals enjoying diplomatic immunity in the previous year.
The Foreign Office has disclosed that, in 2023, nine grave and notable offenses were purportedly executed by foreign officials who are shielded from prosecution.
Politics live: PM ‘may have acknowledged warning’ from Trump victory with spontaneous statement
A “serious offence” is defined as one that could entail a punishment of 12 months’ imprisonment or longer, according to government spokesperson Catherine West, who affirmed this information in a Written Ministerial Statement.
According to diplomatic agreements enshrined in international law, officials associated with a diplomatic mission in a foreign nation are afforded various forms of immunity. The degree of immunity afforded to them, or their family members, correlates with their rank.
Incidents classified as serious offenses in 2023 comprised: an Iraqi individual accused of possessing or disseminating indecent images of minors; a Libyan individual charged with sexual assault; a Portuguese national accused of indecent exposure; and an individual from Singapore facing allegations of child neglect or cruelty.
A Fijian individual and a Pakistani were additionally accused of operating a vehicle without insurance; while diplomats from Ghana, Libya, and Mongolia faced allegations of assault.
Ms. West stated: “Approximately 26,500 individuals qualify for diplomatic or international organization-related immunity in the UK, and the overwhelming majority of diplomats and their dependants comply with UK law.
“The number of reported serious offenses committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is relatively low.”
Further updates from Sky News:
Single mother ‘sexually assaulted’ in ambulance by paramedic
Former Met Police officer refutes sexual assault claims involving woman and teenager
She emphasized that the Foreign Office “does not condone unlawful activities by foreign diplomats or their dependants,” and when crimes come to their notice, “we request the relevant foreign government or international organization to waive immunity, where fitting, to assist in further inquiries.”
“In cases of the most severe offenses, where a pertinent waiver has not been provided, we demand the immediate removal of the diplomat or dependant.”
Among the foreign government personnel who claimed immunity was US spy Anne Sacoolas, who fled the UK after causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn in Northamptonshire in 2019. The UK sought her extradition to stand trial, but the US state department opposed this. Ultimately, she was tried remotely while remaining in the US.
The minister also detailed the penalties and dues owed by diplomatic missions, including over £152m in outstanding London congestion charges from its inception in 2003 until the conclusion of September 2024.
The US accounted for £15m of that total, while Japan owed £10m and China £9m.
Ms. West noted: “Officials maintain regular communication with diplomatic missions and international organizations in the UK regarding overdue national non-domestic rates (NNDR) payments, outstanding parking fine liabilities, and unpaid London congestion charge debts, to advocate for the settlement of outstanding dues and penalties.”
