A US Embassy employee in London accused of possessing child abuse images was put on a plane to the US in August before British police could question him, the BBC reports. The staffer, who lived in south London and worked at the embassy in Vauxhall, was not a diplomat but was reportedly covered by diplomatic protections. The embassy says the employee has been reassigned to the United States while both US and UK authorities investigate. "We take these allegations seriously," embassy officials said, adding they promptly notified UK law enforcement and "took swift action."
- "On Tuesday August 25, US authorities made us aware of an investigation they are conducting into suspected offences in London relating to indecent images of children," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. We continue to liaise with them regarding this matter."
A UK government spokesperson stressed that foreign diplomats in Britain are expected to follow UK law, just as British diplomats must abroad. US authorities have no power of arrest in the UK, but British authorities could have arrested the person if the US had agreed to waive diplomatic immunity, the Times of London reports. Instead, he was questioned by embassy staff before he was put on a flight out of the country.
- Some British lawmakers expressed outrage at the move. "There is a serious risk that this person could have committed crimes against children in this country, and might have been in touch with child sex offenders," Nick Timothy, the Conservative Party's shadow justice secretary, wrote in a letter to the Labour government. "If this is the case, the diplomat should face trial in an English court." Timothy said he was concerned about a "cover-up."
- Ben Obese-Jecty, another Conservative lawmaker, said the US had behaved in an "absolutely grotesque" way, adding, "the US government is now protecting alleged pedophiles," per the Telegraph.
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