"A US embassy staffer accused of possessing indecent images of children, was detained at his south London flat and flown out of the UK in August, without being first questioned by British police."
Sure, I get the overall mechanics. "was... flown" - any brits here to help? What exactly does this mean in BBC English? It implies something, doesn't it?
I assume he was taken to a US airbase and flown from there.
Americans can recall diplomats back to their home country at any time. He was recalled somewhat more hastily than most.
I imagine they said something to the effect of “you will be deported and stand trial in the US; the only question is whether you’re prosecuted in the UK as well”. I imagine that, plus promises to keep his name out of the media, were convincing.
The BBC article goes on with "He was flown back to the United States on a commercial flight, but their investigations are ongoing in conjunction with UK authorities." though.
Yes, but the point in this case is that we are told the person did not have diplomatic immunity.
Not everybody who works at an embassy has diplomatic immunity.
The Geneva Convention dictates who gets diplomatic immunity, and that is based around your job description and rank.
This is not the first time either that the US has flown somebody out of the UK in questionable circumstances before they were questioned by UK police.
The UK is not a third-world country, there is no reason why somebody should not be questioned by UK police or dealt with in UK courts.
You can also bet your bottom dollar that if the tables were turned and the equivalent happend on US soil, there would be little chance of being flown out covertley. Most sensible people don't like "One rule for US, another rule for everyone else", even more so under the present US administration.
Sure. It would be nice if countries would waive diplomatic immunity for things that are crimes back home. Diplomatic immunity should extend to foreign laws, but the diplomats shouldn't escape domestic criminal or civil consequences.
US military personnel get off with a slap on the wrist for rape in the UK.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jul/29/why-us-milit...
A US diplomat's wife got flown home after killing a motorcyclist.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49984737
And our lads die in their wars.
The "special relationship" is an abusive relationship.
Also on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gjw1j1eq7o
I suspect that I can't really understand this:
"A US embassy staffer accused of possessing indecent images of children, was detained at his south London flat and flown out of the UK in August, without being first questioned by British police."
Sure, I get the overall mechanics. "was... flown" - any brits here to help? What exactly does this mean in BBC English? It implies something, doesn't it?
I assume he was taken to a US airbase and flown from there.
Americans can recall diplomats back to their home country at any time. He was recalled somewhat more hastily than most.
I imagine they said something to the effect of “you will be deported and stand trial in the US; the only question is whether you’re prosecuted in the UK as well”. I imagine that, plus promises to keep his name out of the media, were convincing.
The BBC article goes on with "He was flown back to the United States on a commercial flight, but their investigations are ongoing in conjunction with UK authorities." though.
He didn’t have wings or a pilot’s license so he had to have somebody else fly him in the plane to where he wouldn’t be in trouble for his CSAM
Diplomatic Immunity isn’t just found in movies, and while it can lead to some unsatisfying outcomes it’s necessary.
> it’s necessary.
Yes, but the point in this case is that we are told the person did not have diplomatic immunity.
Not everybody who works at an embassy has diplomatic immunity.
The Geneva Convention dictates who gets diplomatic immunity, and that is based around your job description and rank.
This is not the first time either that the US has flown somebody out of the UK in questionable circumstances before they were questioned by UK police.
The UK is not a third-world country, there is no reason why somebody should not be questioned by UK police or dealt with in UK courts.
You can also bet your bottom dollar that if the tables were turned and the equivalent happend on US soil, there would be little chance of being flown out covertley. Most sensible people don't like "One rule for US, another rule for everyone else", even more so under the present US administration.
Sure. It would be nice if countries would waive diplomatic immunity for things that are crimes back home. Diplomatic immunity should extend to foreign laws, but the diplomats shouldn't escape domestic criminal or civil consequences.