Central African Republic minister claims Boris Becker is 'not our diplomat', hours after embassy confirms he is

The three-time Wimbledon champion said he asserted diplomatic immunity from bankruptcy so he can rebuild his life

Boris Becker was declared bankrupt in 2017 (Philip Toscano/PA Wire/PA Images)

Boris Becker has been given more time to prove his diplomatic immunity from bankruptcy after Central African Republic officials both confirmed and rejected the claim.

The former world tennis number one says he cannot be taken to court because of his appointment as the country's attache for sports and cultural affairs in the European Union in April.

CAR foreign minister Charles Armel Doubane said on Monday that he had never signed a document giving the three-time Wimbledon champion official diplomatic status.

"Boris Becker is not an official diplomat of Central African Republic," he said. “The President never asked me to take the appropriate steps in the case of Boris Becker.”

Only hours earlier the CAR embassy in Brussels had confirmed Mr Becker was one of its diplomats.

"Mr Becker is in mission for our country and our embassy in the field of sport, culture and humanitarian affairs," a spokesman said.

"He promotes peaceful co-existence, using his contacts in sports and culture and international connections.

"The embassy sees no reason to comment on Mr Becker's private insolvency. It does not affect the sincere efforts of Mr Boris Becker for our country."

Judge Sebastian Prentis told the High Court he had received information from the embassy in Brussels that Mr Becker holds a diplomatic passport which is valid until 2023.

The bankruptcy was due to be discharged on Tuesday but has now been put on hold following an application by his creditors for more time to pursue his assets.

Mr Becker's lawyers told the court he agreed to the suspension so the issue of his diplomatic immunity could be investigated further.

He was declared bankrupt in June 2017 by Registrar Christine Derrett, who recalled watching him play on Centre Court, following an application made by private bankers Arbuthnot Latham & Co over debts dating back to 2015.

Mr Becker said on Thursday: "The decision to commence bankruptcy proceedings against me was both unjustified and unjust.

"A bunch of anonymous and unaccountable bankers and bureaucrats pushed me into a completely unnecessary declaration of bankruptcy, which has inflicted a whole heap of damage on me, both commercially and professionally, and on those close to me.

"I have now asserted diplomatic immunity as I am in fact bound to do, in order to bring this farce to an end, so that I can start to rebuild my life."

Diplomatic immunity would mean he could not be subject to any legal proceedings without the consent of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his counterpart in Bangui, his lawyers claimed.

His creditors say that Mr Becker has not provided "full and accurate information" about his assets, including two German properties, a property in London, an interest in three Mercedes dealerships and various tennis trophies and memorabilia.

Mr Becker's barrister Ben Emmerson QC said his client may wish to apply for an injunction to block a sale of trophies, due to be held at the end of July, as it would be "irreversible".

The case is next due back in court on October 5.

Associated Press and the Press Association contributed to this report

* This article has been updated to make clear that the foreign minister's comments came after the embassy's statement, not the other way round. 20/6/18