US officials seized a diplomat who faces allegations of possessing indecent images of children and ‘secretly’ flew him out of the UK, according to reports.
The Sun reported that the man’s flat in Putney, southwest London, was stormed on August 25, before he was taken back across the Atlantic without the British police being told.
It is believed he was removed from his flat amid an investigation into another person based in the US.
British ministers are understood to be in contact with the US Embassy and law enforcement as the full facts are established.
US authorities do not have powers of arrest in the UK, and the formal extradition process does not appear to have taken place.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been involved in crisis meetings with Scotland Yard over the incident, the newspaper said.
A spokesperson for the Met said: ‘On Tuesday, 25 August 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.’
A UK government spokesperson said: ‘We expect all foreign diplomats in the UK to abide by our laws, in the same way we expect all UK diplomats to do so when posted overseas.
‘As a US investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.’
A spokesperson for the US Embassy 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.’
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They added: ‘While we can’t comment on the specifics of the case, we quickly informed UK law enforcement and took swift action, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners regarding these allegations.
‘The individual in question has been reassigned to the United States in conjunction with an ongoing investigation. The Embassy has informed British authorities of the case.’
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