Pakistani officials are among other foreign diplomats who are accused of serious offences in the country, UK’s newspaper The Independent claimed on Thursday.
The newspaper quoted a list of the most serious alleged offences in 2013 released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and stated that Pakistani diplomats were among foreign officials suspected of 14 crimes who were protected from British law by diplomatic immunity.
The FCO list included representatives from Pakistan accused of rape and child abduction.
Two Saudi diplomats were also accused of drink-driving in the UK have escaped prosecution, despite the offence being punishable by brutal lashings in their own country, The Independent stated.
A diplomat from Kuwait, where alcohol is strictly banned, was accused of drink-driving.
Mark Simmonds, an FCO minister, revealed to Parliament on Tuesday all “serious and significant” offences allegedly committed by diplomats.
He said that the Metropolitan Police’s Diplomatic Protection Group had alerted the Government to 14 cases in total. “The number of alleged serious crimes committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low,” Mr Simmonds said.
“The FCO does not tolerate foreign diplomats breaking the law.”
The Saudi diplomats accused of drink-driving could be sent back to their home country, where the draconian ban on alcohol has been enforced with corporal punishment under Islamic law.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, those entitled to immunity are expected to obey the law, and if allegations are brought to light the relevant foreign government can be asked to rescind the privilege so they can be investigated.
The FCO made that request for five of the most serious cases last year, Mr Simmonds said, including the rape and child abduction allegedly involving Pakistani diplomats.
But although Pakistan’s government partially lifted immunity in one case so police could interview the diplomat, there is no legal obligation to comply with the British request.
Two other implicated officials were voluntarily recalled, the FCO asked a fourth person to leave the UK, and a fifth case continues.
The FCO would not confirm which allegations the interview or any other action concerned or give details on the progress of investigations.
Amnesty International expressed concern about diplomatic immunity blocking criminal investigations.
The Saudi Arabian and Pakistani embassies could not be reached for a comment.
