PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Embassies: Females (26 February 2015)

We have no record of any representations having been received in recent years about the abuse of women in foreign diplomatic missions in the UK. We are aware that a small number of individual cases of alleged abuse of female domestic workers have been investigated or are under investigation by the police.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) treats any allegation of criminal offences committed by those with diplomatic immunity seriously. We work closely with diplomatic missions in the UK, the police, the Home Office and NGOs to ensure an appropriate response to all allegations. If an allegation of mistreatment or abuse requires further investigation by the police, the FCO will request from the diplomatic mission concerned, on behalf of the police, a waiver of the diplomat’s immunity. Failure to provide a waiver may result in the FCO demanding the withdrawal of the diplomat.