British ministers have called for an investigation into the reported secret removal of a U.S. diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children.

The Sun reported that U.S. authorities raided the diplomat’s London residence last month, detained him and flew him to a U.S. airbase without notifying British police beforehand.

It said U.S. operatives had no powers of arrest in Britain and that no formal extradition request was made.

The development has prompted concerns in Britain and could further strain relations between London and Washington.

Conservative lawmaker Nick Timothy urged Justice Secretary Alex Norris to ensure that the diplomat stood trial in an English court if the offences were committed in Britain.

A UK government spokesperson declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing U.S. investigation, but said foreign diplomats were expected to comply with British law.

The U.S. embassy said it was aware of allegations involving one of its staff members and had taken swift action while informing British authorities.

It said the diplomat had been reassigned to the U.S. in connection with an ongoing investigation and that it would continue to cooperate with UK law enforcement.

The Metropolitan Police said U.S. authorities notified it on August 25 of an investigation into suspected offences involving indecent images of children in London.

The police said they remained in contact with U.S. authorities over the matter.

Mr Timothy described the incident as part of a “concerning pattern” in the handling of alleged offences committed by American personnel against British civilians.

He referred to the case of U.S. fighter pilot Jacob Wulfson, who was convicted by a U.S. military court of strangulation and sentenced to six months in prison.

Mr Timothy also cited the case of U.S. State Department employee Anne Sacoolas, who left Britain after a 2019 road crash that killed 19-year-old Harry Dunn.

Ms Sacoolas later pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for one year.

(dpa/NAN)