An ex-Canadian diplomat was jailed for nine months for making child abuse images, it emerged today.
Jason Moore, a former attache at the Canadian High Commission, pleaded guilty last year of three counts of making indecent or pseudo photographs of a child between December 2010 and April 2015.
He also admitted one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image.
The Canadian Army solider, was also convicted at Southwark Crown Court of one count of failing to comply with a Section 49 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act notice – meaning he refused to reveal documents he was ordered to surrender.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson disclosed the conviction today in an official annual statement of offences allegedly committed by diplomats in Britain.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street yesterday) today revealed an ex Canadian diplomat was jailed for nine months for making child abuse images
Diplomats generally have immunity from prosecution if they commit crimes while serving in Britain.
Embassies are asked to waive immunity in serious cases and diplomats are kicked out of Britain if this is refused.
The Foreign Office said today the case of the Canadian official was not disclosed in last year’s report because doing so could have prejudiced the outcome of the case.
In a statement to MPs, Mr Johnson said: ‘Around 22,500 people are entitled to diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom and the majority of diplomats abide by UK law.
The former attache worked at the Canadian High Commission (file image)
‘The number of alleged serious crimes committed by members of the diplomatic community in the UK is proportionately low.
‘Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, those entitled to immunity are expected to obey the law. The FCO does not tolerate foreign diplomats breaking the law.
‘We take all allegations of illegal activity seriously. When instances of alleged criminal conduct are brought to our attention by the police, we ask the relevant foreign government to waive diplomatic immunity where appropriate.
‘For the most serious offences, and when a relevant waiver has not been granted, we seek the immediate withdrawal of the diplomat.’
The new release also reveals 12 further offences were reported to the Foreign Office in 2016.
They include one allegation of sexual assault by a staff member at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.
A Libyan diplomat was accused of actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon, and possessing a class B drug with intent to supply.
Saudi diplomats were accused of drunk driving and a separate case of driving without an MOT.