Diplomatic Immunity: Alleged Serious and Significant Offences 2024

Chris Elmore Excerpts

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Chris Elmore)]

In 2024, seventeen serious and significant offences allegedly committed by people entitled to diplomatic or international organisation-related immunity in the United Kingdom were drawn to the attention of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office by the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection branch of the Metropolitan Police Service, or other law enforcement agencies.

We define serious offences as those which could, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment or more. Also included are other significant offences, such as driving without insurance and certain types of assault.

Around 26,500 people are entitled to diplomatic or international organisation-related immunity in the UK and the vast majority of diplomats and dependants abide by UK law. The number of alleged serious offences committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low.

Under the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations 1961 and related legislation, we expect those entitled to immunity to obey the law. The FCDO does not tolerate foreign diplomats or their dependants breaking the law.

We take all allegations of illegal activity seriously. When the police or other law enforcement agencies bring instances of alleged criminal conduct to our attention, we ask the relevant foreign Government or international organisation to waive immunity, where appropriate, to facilitate further investigation. For the most serious offences, and when a relevant waiver has not been granted, we request the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat or dependant.

Listed below are alleged serious and significant offences reported to the FCDO by UK law enforcement agencies in 2024.

2024

Common Assault

Angola 1

Assault

Guinea 1

Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm

Cote d’Ivoire 1

Domestic Abuse

Pakistan 1

Domestic Violence

Saudi Arabia 1

Domestic Grievous Bodily Harm

Guinea 1

Child Abuse

USA 1

Distribution of Indecent Images of Children

Turkey 1

Modern Slavery

Equatorial Guinea 1

Uganda 2*

Oman 1*

Driving without Insurance

Saudi Arabia 1

Drunk in Charge of a Motor Vehicle

Brazil 1

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Saudi Arabia 1

Kenya 1

Uganda 1

*historic offence

Figures for previous years are available in the written statement to the House on 14 November 2024 (HCWS217), which can be found at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-09-14/hcws1028

[HCWS1075]