Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which serving ambassadors or high commissioners accredited to the Court of St James also hold UK citizenship or nationality; and what policy on the accreditation of such UK citizens or dual citizens as envoys of Commonwealth or foreign states.

Details of serving Ambassadors or High Commissioners accredited to the Court of St James who may hold UK citizenship or nationality as well as the citizenship or nationality of their sending States are protected under the Data Protection Act. Dual nationals may not hold positions as heads of diplomatic missions in the UK unless they are High Commissioners or the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland. The Diplomatic Privileges (British Nationals) Order 1999 (1999 No 670) allows High Commissioners and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, who may also simultaneously hold UK citizenship, to enjoy privileges and immunities as if they were nationals only of their sending State.