Can I have your opinion
Jan 24, 2020 02:33:29 #
Despite being in the UK, I subscribe to a lot of international news sites, inclusing American ones.
I came across the following news story, and wonder what you would make of it?
Apparently a British Intelligence agent and his wife were posted to work on an American Base. Don't ask me why, the word 'intelligence' says it all to me.
So the item went, the wife took the car to go to the nearest town, and left the base on the wrong side of the road.
She then collided with a bicyclist coming towards her (on the correct side of the road).
The bicyclist died at the scene.
She spoke to the police when they arrived and promised not to leave the country.
A couple of days later, she left the country with her husband, claiming diplomatic immunity.
The local police determined that they wanted to charge her with vehiclular homicide, and asked the authorities to ask for her extradition.
The British Foreign Office refused.
Can I have your opinion of this situation?
I came across the following news story, and wonder what you would make of it?
Apparently a British Intelligence agent and his wife were posted to work on an American Base. Don't ask me why, the word 'intelligence' says it all to me.
So the item went, the wife took the car to go to the nearest town, and left the base on the wrong side of the road.
She then collided with a bicyclist coming towards her (on the correct side of the road).
The bicyclist died at the scene.
She spoke to the police when they arrived and promised not to leave the country.
A couple of days later, she left the country with her husband, claiming diplomatic immunity.
The local police determined that they wanted to charge her with vehiclular homicide, and asked the authorities to ask for her extradition.
The British Foreign Office refused.
Can I have your opinion of this situation?
Jan 24, 2020 05:35:05 #
Of course, it was an accident. I have been in Australia twice and while I did not, it would be easy to drive on the wrong side of the road. I assume that within the base the driving followed drive-right rules.. if so then that is a mistake since it can lead to confusion going outside of the base.
My knowledge of diplomatic immunity is only based on movies and random reading and comments and not legality which may vary from place to place.
Vehicular Homicide? Is that like murder with a car?? The British Government should compensate the cycilists family for their loss.
My knowledge of diplomatic immunity is only based on movies and random reading and comments and not legality which may vary from place to place.
Vehicular Homicide? Is that like murder with a car?? The British Government should compensate the cycilists family for their loss.
Jan 24, 2020 05:46:50 #
Jan 24, 2020 06:03:29 #
norman1312 wrote:
The British Foreign Office refused.
Can I have your opinion of this situation?
Can I have your opinion of this situation?
Somewhere along the line it would come out that the woman was an agent, and this would be an embarrassment to the Brits.
Jan 24, 2020 06:26:50 #
norman1312 wrote:
Despite being in the UK, I subscribe to a lot of i... (show quote)
Diplomats are required to be registered in the US to be considered a Diplomat, in fact, I believe that requirement is also written into most international treaties, thus international law.
Jan 24, 2020 07:25:20 #
The point (at the moment) is that she k**led someone and the attempt at extradition has been refused.
Is that fair?
Is that fair?
Jan 24, 2020 08:20:29 #
norman1312 wrote:
The point (at the moment) is that she k**led someone and the attempt at extradition has been refused.
Is that fair?
Is that fair?
Fair isn't the issue. Does she or does she not have diplomatic immunity. And does this immunity cover accidental deaths. If the answere to both questions is yes, than England has no obligation to retyrn her. But sending her back to the US is still the right thing to do.
Jan 24, 2020 08:22:23 #
I think that the U.S. should extradite this woman. I've never been a fan of diplomatic immunity.
Jan 24, 2020 09:05:06 #
Norman,
Unfortunately, there is a difference between what is right and what is legal. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention, the family members of a diplomat have diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted for any crime.
However, the right thing to do would be for her to go back to Britain and face the consequences of her action.
I suppose, one could sue the government of the United States for her actions, although I don't know how successful that would be.
In any case, therein lies the problem. A person who committed a crime and lied to investigators is living in the lap of luxury in a country where the authorities cannot touch her.
Unfortunately, there is a difference between what is right and what is legal. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention, the family members of a diplomat have diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted for any crime.
However, the right thing to do would be for her to go back to Britain and face the consequences of her action.
I suppose, one could sue the government of the United States for her actions, although I don't know how successful that would be.
In any case, therein lies the problem. A person who committed a crime and lied to investigators is living in the lap of luxury in a country where the authorities cannot touch her.
Jan 24, 2020 09:11:37 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Frank T wrote:
Norman, br Unfortunately, there is a difference b... (show quote)
Pay close attention Frankie ... it happened HERE to a US CITIZEN by a BRITISH CITIZEN, she fled TO ENGLAND FROM THE US, not FROM THE UK TO THE US.
As we have come to know Frankie, you have every single point of the OP wrong.
Jan 24, 2020 09:44:14 #
Now, lets tell you WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. It happened in England, outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire ilast August. The name of the woman driving is Anne Sacoolas and she k**led Harry Dunn. She claimed Diplomatic Immunity based on the job her husband was doing. The Crown Procecution Service have charged her with causing Death by Dangereous Driving. According to everyone the Immunity ceased once she was back on US soil. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo turned down the extradition request last Thursday.
Now what's your opinion?
Now what's your opinion?
Jan 24, 2020 09:51:54 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
norman1312 wrote:
Now, lets tell you WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. It happen... (show quote)
I have heard that also, I assumed based on the OP that was a similar case.
Jan 24, 2020 10:25:02 #
Bazbo
Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
LWW wrote:
Pay close attention Frankie ... it happened HERE to a US CITIZEN by a BRITISH CITIZEN, she fled TO ENGLAND FROM THE US, not FROM THE UK TO THE US.
As we have come to know Frankie, you have every single point of the OP wrong.
As we have come to know Frankie, you have every single point of the OP wrong.
The OP suckered you. He changed essential facts of the case to make a point about what happened in the UK.
Read a book Captain Gullible.
Jan 24, 2020 10:29:21 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Bazbo wrote:
The OP suckered you. He changed essential facts of the case to make a point about what happened in the UK.
Read a book Captain Gullible.
Read a book Captain Gullible.
You honestly believe that has only happened once in history?
Jan 24, 2020 10:40:42 #
Bazbo wrote:
The OP suckered you. He changed essential facts of the case to make a point about what happened in the UK.
Read a book Captain Gullible.
Read a book Captain Gullible.
Louise isn't the brightest light on Broadway.
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