LONDON — The UK’s ambassador to Mexico has left his post after a video was posted on social media that purportedly shows him pointing an assault rifle near a colleague.
The Financial Times reported Friday that Jon Benjamin was traveling in Sinaloa and Durango, two states in northern Mexico where drug cartels have a significant presence, when the incident occurred. The video posted on the social media platform X shows a man who looks like Benjamin seated in the front seat of a vehicle, when he picks up the supposed rifle and points it at the back seat. The five-second clip was posted by an anonymous user along with the message, “In a context of daily killings in Mexico by drug dealers, he dares to joke.”
While the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office hasn’t officially announced any changes at the embassy in Mexico City, the FCDO website lists him as a former ambassador.
“We are aware of this incident and have taken appropriate action,’’ the Foreign Office said in a statement released in response to questions about the reported incident. “Where internal issues do arise the FCDO has robust HR processes to address them.”
Rachel Brazier has been charge d’affaires at the embassy since April, a role in which a diplomat serves as an embassy’s chief of mission in the absence of the ambassador.
Recently, shocking allegations have emerged regarding the behavior of the UK Ambassador to Mexico, as video footage has surfaced showing him allegedly pointing a rifle at a colleague during a heated argument. The incident, which reportedly took place in the ambassador’s residence in Mexico City, has sparked outrage and calls for an investigation into the diplomat’s actions.
The video, which was leaked to the media, shows the ambassador engaged in a heated exchange with a colleague before suddenly brandishing a rifle and pointing it in their direction. The colleague can be seen looking visibly shocked and alarmed by the ambassador’s actions, as other individuals in the room attempt to intervene and de-escalate the situation.
The ambassador has since denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the incident was a “misunderstanding” and that he never intended to harm anyone. However, the footage has raised serious concerns about his behavior and judgment, particularly given his role as a representative of the UK government in a foreign country.
The UK Foreign Office has stated that they are aware of the allegations and are conducting an internal investigation into the matter. They have also stressed that they take the safety and well-being of their staff very seriously and will not tolerate any behavior that puts them at risk.
The incident has also raised questions about the mental health and stress levels of diplomats, who often work in high-pressure environments and face significant challenges in their roles. It serves as a reminder of the importance of providing adequate support and resources to diplomats to ensure their well-being and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
As the investigation into this troubling incident continues, it is essential that all parties involved are held accountable for their actions and that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The safety and security of diplomatic staff must be paramount, and any behavior that puts them at risk cannot be tolerated.
