And Bernard Matthews is furious!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7556133...tml#comments-7556133

I have driven all across the USA numerous times over in the 30 odd years. It's not difficult to drive on the opposite side of the roads.

I'm sure Mr King would agree.

The time for complaining about diplomatic immunity is beforehand.
If everyone has been happy with our own diplomats (and families) having immunity, You have to accept that others do too!
If she is immune, she is immune, and of course she shouldn't be handed over!

Diplomatic immunity is complex - and can allow for expulsion (from the UK, in this instance), if the individual is guilty of a serious crime.

Such a decision seems appropriate here, from the information available - particularly as the lady told the authorities she wasn't going anywhere.

Alternatively - as may also be apt here - her home country could waive the immunity, in the aftermath of an innocent UK citizen's death/manslaughter.

There is also some doubt as to whether immunity applies to this individual - as she is not a diplomat, just married to one.

Personally, I think she should do the decent thing - and return to face the music in her adopted country. Significantly she has not returned to her US home.

Barney wrote:
Personally, I think she should do the decent thing - and return to face the music in her adopted country. Significantly she has not returned to her US home.
Yes, when this story came on the news the other day I was thinking that there's the law (her diplomatic immunity) and then there's human decency. Interesting that she hasn't returned to her US home.

The Vienna Convention brought about the concept/laws of Diplomatic Immunity - which was not meant to give protection, in cases like this.

Essentially/seemingly - a civil case, where a middle-aged bored housewife (in this country for 2/3 weeks) doesn't bother acclimatising to local laws.

Then lies about her future whereabouts, disappears, is supported (hidden?) by US authorities - and expects everyone to forget the tragic and fatal incident.

Remorse - none! Regret or condolences either. Even though this confident and uncaring lady had been cited for traffic violations in Virginia before.

It's no secret that US military bases - here and elsewhere in Europe (albeit an economic benefit to the local community) - seem impervious to relevant legislations.

Many use the $ on base, ridicule the backward limies (we make their aircraft/weapons) and expect eternal gratitude for help in WWII.

Diplomatic immunity may be different from other official immunities.
Sometimes it extends to spouses and family. Unbeknown to most who are given it. Some people are just born in to it.

Knowing what I do about immunity elsewhere: Small time crime and some financial crimes are covered by immunity, but blatant physical harm is not.

Barney wrote:
There is also some doubt as to whether immunity applies to this individual - as she is not a diplomat, just married to one.

Personally, I think she should do the decent thing - and return to face the music in her adopted country. Significantly she has not returned to her US home.

Now - the Foreign Office confirms that this lady doesn't have diplomatic immunity, primarily because she absconded

The law must take its course - and the suspect will he treated like any other. However, she seems to think she shouldn't/isn't!

Barney wrote:
Barney wrote:
There is also some doubt as to whether immunity applies to this individual - as she is not a diplomat, just married to one.

Personally, I think she should do the decent thing - and return to face the music in her adopted country. Significantly she has not returned to her US home.

Now - the Foreign Office confirms that this lady doesn't have diplomatic immunity, primarily because she absconded

The law must take its course - and the suspect will he treated like any other. However, she seems to think she shouldn't/isn't!




That is interesting. She has obviously made things much worse for herself then.