Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support UK diplomatic staff based overseas from state backed harassment.

The UK expects receiving States to respect their obligations under The Vienna Conventions, which place an obligation on the receiving State to treat accredited staff with due respect and take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on their person, freedom or dignity. The FCDO reminds States of these obligations when necessary, at all levels, both in country and through our embassies in London. Where UK diplomatic staff are faced with harassment, the FCDO has an extensive welfare offer in place to support staff both overseas and at home, and provides additional support where necessary.