Daniel Wolfram
A new diplomatic dispute is brewing between the US and the UK.
American officials pulled a US diplomat out of his London apartment and flew him back to America on August 25 after they were alerted that he allegedly had disturbing pictures of children at his property.
The former serviceman of the armed forces worked at the US Embassy in South London.
British authorities were only informed after he left the country.
Disturbing pictures
US officers launched the probe through the diplomat’s brother in the States. Investigators allegedly found child abuse material. Instead of contacting local police, American personnel moved fast and flew him out of the country.
A source told The Sun: “They should have told Scotland Yard when they carried out the raid, and certainly when they found material.”
The source added: “Instead we think they have taken him to a US airbase and flown him 4,000-plus miles to where his brother was being investigated. We think it was a dawn raid before they then took him to the base in a US military convoy.”
Left in the dark
British police officers were left in the dark until the operation was complete. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that American agencies only contacted them after they had extracted him.
“On August 25, US authorities made us aware of an investigation they are conducting into suspected offences in London relating to indecent images of children. We continue to liaise with them regarding this matter,” the Metropolitan Police stated.
“The man may well face justice in the US but he should be before the courts here,” the source told The Sun.
A US Embassy spokesman said: “We are aware of allegations concerning an individual assigned to the Embassy. The United States government expects all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and we take these allegations seriously.”
The British Government said: “We expect all foreign diplomats in the UK to abide by our laws. As a US investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
