A member of staff at the US embassy in London accused of possessing child sex abuse images who was spirited out of the UK before he could be questioned by British police is a senior US Air Force officer.
Lt Col Michael Morris, who was based at the high-profile diplomatic post in the capital as an assistant military attache, is facing a hearing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland next month.
Formal charges include possession and distribution of “child pornography”, obstructing justice and “conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman”.
His brother, Benjamin Morris, is currently facing trial in the US for a string of charges relating to child sex abuse material.
He was arrested by police in Illinois after an investigation sparked by a group that tracks down alleged paedophiles.
Prosecutors have claimed Benjamin Morris shared images with his brother while Michael Morris was stationed in London.
Lt Col Morris was flown out of the UK in August without being questioned by UK police.
The case has led to renewed concerns at Westminster over the US authorities ignoring the legal jurisdiction of the host country, despite alleged offences being committed on UK soil.
A spokesperson for the US Air Force said: “Charges have been preferred against Lt Col Michael Morris, currently assigned to the Air Force District of Washington.
“The charges and evidence will be reviewed to determine whether the case should be tried by court-martial.
“To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and the rights of the subject, further information is unavailable until a disposition decision is made.
“As a reminder, charges are merely allegations and the Department of the Air Force member is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “We have been liaising regularly with the US authorities since they made us aware on Tuesday, August 25 of their investigation into suspected offences relating to indecent images of children.
“We are aware that charges have been brought in the US in relation to this case and that legal proceedings are ongoing. We remain in contact with the US authorities.”
Downing Street has previously raised concerns after an American fighter pilot avoided a trial under English law for strangling a woman in Cambridge while off-duty.
Captain Jacob Wulfson was tried at a court-martial on a US airbase and was jailed for six months after being convicted of strangulation.
He was acquitted of charges of sexual assault and aggravated sexual contact.
The case has also been likened to that of US state department employee Anne Sacoolas who caused the death of teenager Harry Dunn in a car crash in 2019.
Sacoolas was able to leave the country shortly after causing the fatal collision after the US asserted diplomatic immunity on her behalf.
She eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at a virtual High Court hearing in December 2022 and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for a year.
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