An American diplomat stationed at the U.S. Embassy in London was reportedly detained and secretly transported back to the United States after U.S. authorities discovered alleged child pornography on his devices. The operation, which involved U.S. Marines and military aircraft, has drawn sharp criticism from British officials and politicians, who assert that the U.S. acted without legal jurisdiction on British soil.
According to reports, the diplomat, whose identity has not been released, is alleged to have received the material from his brother in the U.S. A raid on his London apartment was allegedly conducted by U.S. Marines late last month. Following the raid, British police and authorities were reportedly only informed after the diplomat's extraction from the country.
A Boeing 747 aircraft reportedly flew from Chicago to a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire, England, on August 24, a day before the raid. The same aircraft is said to have departed the base the following day, flying back to the U.S. and landing at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. It then reportedly flew to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
British politicians have expressed strong disapproval of the operation. Ben Obese-Jecty, a conservative member of parliament, stated on X, "The US Government is now protecting pedophiles." He further criticized the U.S. for conducting a raid on British soil without jurisdiction and using military resources to remove a suspect from the country.
Representatives for the American Embassy in London did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the clandestine operation.