SINGAPORE: A public official attached to the Singapore High Commission in London was cautioned following an incident of alleged child neglect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Friday (Nov 15).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the incident occurred in September 2023 when the Singaporean civil servant left his sleeping children at home to pick up his wife at night.

A child woke up and managed to get out of the locked house and look for his parents, but was found a short distance away.

“This led to local police involvement. Authorities investigated and closed the incident without further follow-up,” the State Department said in response to CNA’s questions. he said.

“We appreciate the professionalism of the local police in handling the situation. Following the incident, the officer was notified and issued a warning.”

Here’s what happened: It was brought up in the British parliament by foreign secretary Catherine West on Thursday. The minister noted that this was one of nine cases of “serious and significant crimes” registered at the foreign ministry in 2023 by suspects with diplomatic immunity.

These included a Libyan accused of sexual assault, an Iraqi accused of possessing or distributing indecent images of children, and a Portuguese accused of indecent exposure.

The Foreign Office said on Friday it was aware of the incident being included in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) annual report to the UK parliament on crimes committed by people with diplomatic immunity. However, it was stated that diplomatic protection was not sought in this case.

“The officer fully cooperated with the investigation and diplomatic immunity was not invoked at any point,” the State Department said.

“The officer has since been dismissed as planned,” he added.

MFA added that it expects all staff and other officers attached to its missions to maintain the highest standards of conduct and comply with the laws of their host countries.