UK government reveals crimes allegedly committed by foreign diplomats

LONDON: People with diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom committed crimes including sexual assault, indecent exposure and child cruelty last year, a British government minister claimed on Thursday (November 14).

In a written statement to parliament, Deputy Foreign Minister Catherine West said a total of nine “serious and significant crimes” committed by suspects under diplomatic protection had been recorded at the foreign ministry in 2023.

These included a Libyan accused of sexual assault, an Iraqi accused of possessing or distributing indecent images of children, a Portuguese accused of indecent exposure, and a Singaporean facing charges of cruelty or neglect of children.

“The vast majority of diplomats and their dependents comply with UK law,” West said, referring to the 26,500 people in Britain who have immunity from prosecution with ties to diplomatic or international organisations.

When the alleged criminal conduct was brought to the department’s attention, “we request that the relevant foreign government or international organization waive immunity to facilitate further investigation, as appropriate,” he said.

“In the most serious crimes and where no relevant waiver has been granted, we demand the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat or dependent,” West said. he added.

CNA has contacted Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further information.

West also revealed that diplomatic missions owed more than £152 million ($193 million) in unpaid congestion charge charges in London between the time it was introduced in 2003 and last month.

The US embassy alone owes more than £15 million. He refuses to pay the £15 daily fee for entry into central London because he sees it as a tax from which diplomatic missions should be exempt.

Japan owes £10.4 million and China owes £9.3 million.

West also revealed diplomats owed nearly £1.5 million in unpaid parking fines at the end of June. He said Saudi Arabia’s largest debt was £196,000.