The Foreign Office revealed in a Thursday statement delivered in both the UK’s House of Commons and House of Lords that nine “serious and significant offenses” were allegedly committed by foreign officials with diplomatic immunity in 2023. The crimes include sexual assault, indecent exposure, and child cruelty, among others.

“We define serious offences as those which could, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment or more,” said Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West. According to the statement, a Libyan official was accused of sexual assault, while a Portuguese individual was accused of indecent exposure. An Iraqi official was also accused of possessing or distributing indecent images of children. Other alleged crimes include assault, driving without insurance, and child cruelty or neglect.

“Around 26,500 people are entitled to diplomatic or international organisation-related immunity in the UK and the vast majority of diplomats and dependants abide by UK law,” said West. “The number of alleged serious offences committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low.”

However, West emphasized that all allegations of illegal activity are taken seriously. “When the police or other law enforcement agencies bring instances of alleged criminal conduct to our attention, we ask the relevant foreign government or international organisation to waive immunity, where appropriate, to facilitate further investigation,” West said. “For the most serious offences, and when a relevant waiver has not been granted, we request the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat or dependant.”

West also highlighted that under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and related legislation, those entitled to immunity are expected to obey the law. “The FCDO does not tolerate foreign diplomats or dependants breaking the law,” added West. The report highlights the issue of diplomatic immunity, which grants foreign officials and their family members exemption from prosecution in the host country. The extent of this immunity depends on the seniority of the official.

The Foreign Office has stated that it does not tolerate foreign diplomats or dependents breaking the law and will request the relevant foreign government or international organization to waive immunity where appropriate. In cases where a waiver is not granted, the diplomat or dependent may be requested to leave the country immediately. The case of US spy Anne Sacoolas, who fled the UK after killing a teenage motorcyclist in 2019, is also mentioned in the report. Sacoolas was eventually tried remotely while remaining in the US, highlighting the challenges of holding diplomats accountable for their actions.

Between 2019 and 2022, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was alerted to fifteen serious offenses allegedly committed by individuals entitled to diplomatic or international organization immunity, highlighting a proportionately low number of incidents among approximately 25,500 such individuals.