- Boris Becker announced he was made attache for the Central African Republic
- The German former tennis pro was then officially listed as a diplomat by the CAR
- Hours later Charles Armel Doubane denied he had approved the appointment
- Mr Becker declared bankruptcy last year in the hope of clearing £54million debt
Boris Becker’s new role as a diplomat for the Central African Republic was shrouded in confusion yesterday.
Lawyers for the three-time Wimbledon tennis champion – who is embroiled in a High Court bankruptcy case – revealed last week that he had been appointed as a ‘sporting, cultural and humanitarian affairs’ attache for the CAR.
Faustin Archange Touadera in Brussels appointing Boris Becker as the country’s Attache for Sports, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs
But the country’s foreign minister, Charles Armel Doubane, told German newspaper Die Welt that Becker’s signature was required for a diplomat to be appointed – and he ‘never signed such documents’.
He added: ‘Boris Becker is not an official diplomat of Central African Republic.’
But Mr Doubane was contradicted by the CAR embassy in Brussels, which said Becker, 50, was one of its diplomats.
Boris Becker is fighting to claim diplomatic immunity from his ongoing bankruptcy proceedings
Boris Becker is facing bankruptcy but could also be a diplomat as confusion shrouds the tennis star’s new appointment
It said: ‘The embassy sees no reason to comment on Mr Becker’s private insolvency. It does not affect the sincere efforts of Boris Becker for our country.
‘England has proved repeatedly that it adheres to diplomatic practices in exemplary fashion, respecting all diplomats and their rights.
‘This will not be any different in the case of diplomat Becker.’
According to the Vienna Convention, Becker is not bound by legal processes in the courts of any country for so long as he remains a recognised diplomatic agent. It means he will have to pay his debts only if the Central African Republic gives its consent to debt collectors.
Boris Becker tweeted his excitement after his appointment – however it has been denied at ministerial level
Mr Becker was able to swing the deal with the help of leading human rights lawyer Ben Emmerson QC
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