Foreign Diplomatic Weapons

[GodAtum]

I was wondering are foreign diplomatic security agents allowed to carry weapons in the UK? I can't imagine the US Secret Service ever being without their weapons when protecting the President.

[Hawk]

Normaly this is a joint venture with the countries involved I do know that when the Swedish Prime minister is traveling the Security Police is always armed, however there is sometimes restrictions. Either they have their own or the country they are visiting is borrowing this.
They also have the stuff in the private aircraft..but it has to be paper work that is approved otherwise its not working.
A while back some Swedish bodyguards was armed flying from USA to Sweden, they havent thought of checking with the Police in UK or customs /airport police and since they just hade a transfer flight they was expecting a quick transfer...hehe..well that dident happend
The minister had to fly with a smaller group and some was left in UK and try to explain why they had weapons in UK..

On this (level) a phone call might be enough..
Very often is also a UK police officer or more (armed) attached to the diplomatc visit

When the US president was in Sweden, Secret Service togehter with Swedish Police had even sharpshooters on the roofs weeks ahead of the visit..

Even myself when I travel in Europe the new European weaponlicenses are very helpful still, you have to register with the customs about, number, ammo and dates..

Hawk

[GodAtum]

Thanks for your detailed reply Hawk.

I ask this as I was watching a program on TV called Airport. They had the President of Latvia (I think) whose security detail had to give up their weapons on arriving in the UK. I wonder why that was the case?

[R2700m]

Perhaps the president of Latvia isnt under any specific threat that would justify his security to remain armed?

[neiljordan]

I discussed this with a mate of mine in the SB Prot before they amalgamated with the Royalty lads as well and the only two countries who are allowed to have security personnel 'carrying' on mainland UK are the US and the Israeli's.
Everyone else has security allocated to them.

Neil

[co19]

No foreign diplomats CP team is allowed to carry firearms. All armed protection if required is supplied by the Met Police SO.1

It would be impolite to discuss any exemptions

[GodAtum]

Is there a section in UK law which allows for exemptions of firearms for diplomatic cp?

[neiljordan]

If 'diplomatic' encompasses State visits and you believe the American Secret Service give up their arms upon arrival in any country, then you're very mistaken.

Neil

[CPO445]

This country has a sort of unwritten understanding with "some" countries and visa versa. Not worth asking about it though, as you will never get an answer, as such.

[Nephilim]

I caused a diplomatic incident a couple of years ago when I discovered Colonel Gaddafi's sons, bodyguards tried to get in through an airport in the UK all carrying firearms. They had enough firepower to fight a small war. When they were refused entry a standoff occurred and they all went back on their plane on the runway. What was worse was whilst the FCO was getting involved an Israeli plane parked on the next stand along from them. I had visions of being the one responsible for causing war to break out in the UK and I'm pretty sure they don't make forms long enough to explain why !

Nephilim