Diplomatic Immunity
(8 years, 4 months ago)
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The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Boris Johnson)
In 2015, 11 serious and significant offences allegedly committed by people entitled to diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by parliamentary and diplomatic protection of the Metropolitan police, or other law enforcement agencies. Six of these were driving-related. We define serious offences as those which could, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment or more. Also included are drink-driving and driving without insurance.
Around 22,500 people are entitled to diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom and the majority of diplomats abide by UK law. The number of alleged serious crimes committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, those entitled to immunity are expected to obey the law. The FCO does not tolerate foreign diplomats breaking the law.
We take all allegations of illegal activity seriously. When instances of alleged criminal conduct are brought to our attention by the police, we ask the relevant foreign Government to waive diplomatic immunity where appropriate. For the most serious offences, and when a relevant waiver has not been granted, we seek the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat.
Alleged serious and significant offences reported to the FCO in 2015 are listed below.
2015 | |
|---|---|
Driving without insurance | |
The Commonwealth Secretariat | 1 |
Causing or permitting the driving of a vehicle without insurance | |
St Lucia | 1 |
Driving a vehicle without insurance or a MOT | |
Nigeria | 1 |
Driving under the influence of alcohol | |
USA | 1 |
Kazakhstan | 1 |
China | 1 |
Actual bodily harm | |
Gabon | 1 |
Human trafficking into the UK for the purposes of exploitation, specifically domestic servitude | |
Saudi Arabia | 1 |
Human trafficking; slavery or servitude/forced or compulsory labour | |
Saudi Arabia | 1 |
Taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child; and using threatening /abusive/insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment/alarm/distress | |
Mexico | 1 |
Causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity | |
Mexico | 1 |
Figures for previous years are available in the Secretary for State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs’ written statement to the House on 16 July 2015, Official Report, column 36WS (HCWS128, HLWS112, HLWS112).
[HCWS106]