Will ensure safety of staff: UK to review security at Indian mission in London after ‘unacceptable acts of violence’

UK’s foreign secretary James Cleverly has said the security at the Indian High Commission in London will be reviewed following “unacceptable acts of violence” towards the mission’s staff.

Cleverly’s statement came in the wake of a massive protest by Khalistani groups outside the India House in London’s Westminster on Wednesday, three days after pro-Khalistan separatists vandalised and pulled down the Tricolour flying atop the Indian mission.

“We are working with the Metropolitan Police to review security at the Indian High Commission, and will make the changes needed to ensure the safety of its staff as we did for today’s demonstration. We will always take the security of the High Commission, and all foreign missions in the UK, extremely seriously, and prevent and robustly respond to incidents such as this,” he said.

The British foreign secretary said a police investigation was ongoing after the acts of violence. He also assured that the UK government is working in tandem with the Indian mission and New Delhi to resolve the diplomatic wrangle the incident touched off.

“Acts of violence towards staff at the Indian High Commission in London are unacceptable and I have made our position clear to the High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami. The police investigation is ongoing and we are in close contact with the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Government in Delhi,” Cleverly added.