Between 2019-2022, fifteen 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 Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection 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 driving under the influence and driving without insurance.
Around 25,500 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 dependants breaking the law.
We take all allegations of illegal activity seriously. When the police or other law enforcement agency bring instances of alleged criminal conduct to our attention, we ask the relevant foreign government or international organisation to waive immunity where appropriate. 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 between 2019 - 2022.
2019
Domestic servitude/Modern Slaverya)
Saudi Arabia 1
Sexual Assault
Iraq 1
Fraud by abuse of position
Commonwealth Secretariat 1
Causing Death by Careless Driving
USA 1
Driving under the influence of alcohol
Oman 1
Driving under the influence of alcohol
Kyrgyzstan 1
a) Historical allegations
2020
Common assault/cruelty to a child
Nigeria 1
Driving under the influence of alcohol
India 1
2021
Driving under the influence of alcohol
Saudi Arabia 2
Driving under the influence of alcohol
Ethiopia 1
2022
Driving without insurance
Myanmar 1
Common Assault/Threats to kill
Greece 1
Fraud by false representation/Perverting the course of justice/Money laundering
Democratic Republic of the Congo 1
Sexual Assault
USA 1
Figures for 2018 are available in the then Secretary for State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs’ written statement to the House on 25 February 2020 (HCWS119) which can be found at: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-02-25/debates/20022539000011/AllegedSeriousAndSignificantOffences(DiplomaticImmunity)2018
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