Immunity for diplomat in murder case

An international row is brewing after two Colombians wanted for questioning about a murder in west London claimed diplomatic immunity. The Colombians have refused to submit to questioning by the Metropolitan police investigating the death of Damian Broom, 23, who was stabbed to death outside a branch of Tesco on Tuesday.

The police identified the Colombians as an embassy diplomat and a close relative, thought to be his son, several days ago but were told they were claiming diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention of 1961.

On Friday, the Foreign Office formally asked the Colombian ambassador, Victor Ricardo, to waive their immunity and hand them over to the police, but has yet to receive a reply.

It is understood that the family of Mr Broom, who has left a wife and a six-month-old daughter, fear both men may leave Britain under diplomatic cover, which includes the closest relatives of diplomats, to avoid the police.

But Whitehall sources indicated last night that they will insist that the two suspects are handed over.

"The UK takes seriously the expectation enshrined in the Vienna Convention that diplomatic missions and their families respect the laws and regulations of the UK," said one official. "We take that very seriously for our staff overseas and for foreign diplomats posted here."

Mr Broom, a warehouseman from Acton, west London, died of multiple stab wounds in hospital on Tuesday evening after a confrontation with three men at a Tesco's in Greenford, west London.

After the three suspects inside the store approached him, security staff broke up an altercation. Mr Broom then ran off, but was chased by the men. He was later found critically wounded on a mini-roundabout nearby.

In a statement released last Friday, Mr Ricardo said the embassy would give the Metropolitan police "full assistance" in their investigations, but he refused to discuss their diplomatic status.

The Foreign Office believes it could take several days before the Colombians give their response.