Singapore High Commission officer named in British Parliament over alleged child neglect receives warning: MFA

SINGAPORE: A government official attached to the Singapore High Commission in London has been warned following an alleged incident of child neglect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Friday (Nov 15).

MFA said the incident took place in September 2023 when the Singaporean officer left his sleeping children at home to pick up his wife at night.

One child woke up and managed to leave the locked house to look for the parents before being found a short distance away.

“This led to the involvement of the local police in the case. Authorities investigated and closed the incident without the need for follow-up action,” MFA said in response to questions from CNA.

“We appreciate the professionalism of the local police in handling the situation. The officer was advised and warned following the incident.”

The incident had happened raised in the British Parliament Thursday by junior Secretary of State Catherine West. She called it one of nine cases registered with the Foreign Ministry in 2023 of “serious and significant crimes” by suspects with diplomatic immunity.

They included a Libyan accused of sexual assault, an Iraqi accused of possessing or distributing indecent images of children and a Portuguese accused of indecent exposure.

MFA said on Friday it was aware that the incident had been included in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) annual report to the British Parliament on crimes committed by persons with diplomatic immunity. But it was said that diplomatic protection was not invoked in this case.

“The officer fully cooperated with the investigation and at no time was diplomatic immunity invoked,” MFA said.

“The officer has since been deposed as planned,” it added.

MFA added that it expects all its personnel and other officials attached to its missions to maintain the highest standards of conduct and adhere to the laws of their host countries.