Aussie diplomat’s ‘partner’ yells homophobic slur as he’s arrested and claims to have ‘immunity’
Extraordinary footage has emerged of what appears to be the partner of an Australian diplomat swearing at police and shouting a homophobic slur during his dramatic arrest after a night out.
New Zealand Police have confirmed they are seeking a waiver of diplomatic immunity after a man was arrested on Dixon Street in Wellington at 3.30am on September 29.
The alleged incident occurred hours after the All Blacks rugby team defeated the Australian Wallabies 33-13 in the country’s capital to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd year in a row.
Police responded to reports of a fight and reportedly found a man involved in an altercation with two teenagers before being handcuffed.
The fight was filmed by another teenager, 19, who claimed his friends were confronted by an aggressive man.
Footage shows the man, believed to be the partner of an Australian diplomat, swearing at police after allegedly using a homophobic slur.
“You stupid son of a bitch, I have diplomatic immunity, son of a bitch,” he can be heard shouting in one video provided to Stuff.
A man believed to be the partner of an Australian diplomat has reportedly been arrested following an altercation in Wellington, New Zealand, at 3.30am on September 29.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that a man had been taken into custody but was later released without charge due to their diplomatic immunity.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was aware of the video.
The teen who filmed the arrest claimed the man “just flipped a switch and got really aggressive” with his friends.
“He was screaming at the top of his lungs at us, ‘I’m ready to die, I’m taking on all three of you,’ and then I got a bit scared,” he told Stuff.
Video shows the man being pushed against a wall during his arrest, and another photo of the teen shows him handcuffed and lying face down in the street.
The alleged incident took place hours after the All Blacks’ victory
New Zealand police are now trying to revoke the man’s diplomatic immunity to press charges, but have not specified what charges.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that all diplomats are expected to abide by the law of their host country.
“Second officials and their dependents are expected to respect the laws of the countries to which they are posted,” said a statement to the The era read.
Ministers in both New Zealand and Australia have reportedly been briefed on the matter.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it expects foreign countries to waive their immunity if “it is alleged that a serious crime has been committed.”
The man allegedly confronted three teenagers, one of whom filmed the arrest, with the man shouting that he had diplomatic immunity.
Former New Zealand diplomat Peter Hamilton told Stuff it was likely the diplomat in question would be withdrawn from his post.
“It’s a serious matter because it’s an embarrassing issue. [Australia] “The choice could be to withdraw the diplomat, as has happened in the past, and the diplomat is sent home,” he said.
Mr Hamilton added that New Zealand also has the option expelling the diplomat.