Rape Among Alleged Crimes By Diplomats In UK

        Sexual assault, domestic rape and child abduction are among the alleged crimes committed in the UK by foreign staff who have diplomatic immunity.

Other suspected offences by diplomats include actual bodily harm and drink-driving.

They cannot be arrested and possibly later charged unless the suspect's government waives diplomatic immunity.

Britain says it takes allegations of illegal activity seriously and when such claims are made it asks foreign governments, through the diplomatic mission, for a waiver.

According to the CPS, where police believe there is enough evidence to justify a prosecution but the head of mission does not agree to a waiver, the Foreign Office may ask for the suspect to be withdrawn.

Some 21,500 people are entitled to diplomatic immunity in the UK and the majority of diplomats abide by UK law, according to the British government.
However, the number of alleged serious crimes committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low, it added.

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, those entitled to immunity are expected to obey the law and the Foreign Office has said it does not tolerate foreign diplomats breaking the law.

Alleged serious and significant offences reported to the Foreign Office in 2013 are as follows:

:: Driving a vehicle reported as lost or stolen and without insurance: Sierra Leone 1.

:: Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and without insurance: El Salvador 1.

:: Driving under the influence of alcohol: Saudi Arabia 2, Belarus 1, Macedonia 1, Kuwait 1, Zambia 1.

:: Sexual assault: Zambia 1.

:: Domestic rape: Pakistan 1.

:: Child abduction: Pakistan 1.

:: Actual bodily harm: Cameroon 1, Zambia 1.

:: Public order offence: Kuwait 1.