US diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children secretly flown out of UK before police were informed: Report | World News
A US diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children on his phone was secretly removed from Britain and flown to the United States, with British authorities informed about the investigation only after his departure, The Telegraph reportedThe diplomat was working at the US embassy in London when American authorities allegedly searched his home in Putney on August 25. He was then taken to a US air base and flown to America as part of an ongoing investigation.American officers do not have powers of arrest in Britain, and there was reportedly no formal extradition request for the diplomat. The circumstances of his removal have prompted discussions between British officials and the US embassy.A source told The Sun that British police should have been notified when the property was searched and when the alleged material was discovered.“They should have told Scotland Yard when they carried out the raid, and certainly when they found material,” the source said.The source claimed the diplomat was taken to a US air base in a military convoy before being flown to the United States, where his brother was reportedly also under investigation.“The man may well face justice in the US but he should be before the courts here,” the source added.The Metropolitan Police said US authorities informed them on August 25 about an investigation into suspected offences in London involving indecent images of children.“We continue to liaise with them regarding this matter,” a police spokesman said.Flight data showed a Kalitta Air Boeing 747 flew from Chicago to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on August 24. The aircraft left Fairford at 5.33pm the following day and arrived at Dover Air Base in Delaware at 7.44pm local time before continuing to Chicago.The aircraft had not flown to RAF Fairford for at least two months before the incident, according to the reports.The US embassy confirmed it was investigating allegations involving a person assigned to the embassy but did not disclose the diplomat’s identity.“The United States government expects all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and we take these allegations seriously,” an embassy spokesman said.The embassy said it had “quickly informed UK law enforcement and took swift action” and would continue working with British authorities.“The individual in question has been reassigned to the United States in conjunction with an ongoing investigation,” the spokesman said.The British Government said foreign diplomats were expected to comply with UK laws.
