UK ambassador to Mexico reportedly sacked after rifle joke

The UK's ambassador to Mexico has apparently been removed from his post, after a video of him jokingly pointing what appears to be a high-powered rifle at staff circulated online, causing controversy.

In the video, diplomat Jon Benjamin appears in the front seat of a vehicle and points the weapon towards staff seated at the back. The video was allegedly shot during a trip by Benjamin to the northern Mexican state of Durango.

"Benjamin, a career diplomat, was sacked as ambassador soon after the episode in April," the Financial Times said, quoting unnamed people familiar with the matter. It added that the colleague seated in the back was a local staff member.

What the British government has said

The UK government responded to questions by news agencies surrounding the incident saying: "We are aware of this incident and have taken appropriate action. Where internal issues do arise, the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) has robust Human Resources processes to address them."

The government's website says of Benjamin on his biography page that he "was" its ambassador to Mexico "from 2021 to 2024," without giving further details.

Benjamin's LinkedIn profile says his mission in Mexico city ended in May, stating he is currently "in transition."

Prior to serving in Mexico, he represented the UK in Chile, Ghana, Turkey, Indonesia and the United States.

rmt/kb (AFP, AP)