The only sanction the British government can impose is to declare embassy staff persona non grata, give them a police escort to the airport and put them on a plane home. Personnel accused of a serious crime cannot be touched by UK law unless the sending state waives immunity to allow prosecution. The State Immunity Act 1978, the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1967 and the Consular Relations Act 1968 all carry additional protection for embassy staff. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention, foreign officials, their spouses, children and staff are protected from prosecution by their host country. These include allegations of murder by a Colombian diplomat, two counts of indecent assault from South Africa - including an incident of drunken groping - and Morrocan embassy officials accused of rape and child abuse.Įmbassy staff from France and Germany, stand accused of assault while India is accused of conspiracy to steal Germany of facilitating illegal immigration to the UK and the Dominican Republic of fraud and money laundering. They reveal that between 19, 122 serious offences were allegedly committed by embassy staff - and Britain is powerless to prosecute. They are also escaping prosecution for rape, child abuse, indecent assault,fraud, bribery and possession of drugs and firearms.įor the first time, figures have been released showing the crimes committed by those who work behind the elegant facades of London's embassies.

Foreign diplomats can get away with murder.

Diplomatic immunity murder rape