Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

UK envoy to Mexico reportedly sacked after pointing gun

A video posted on the social media platform X appeared to show the moment when Benjamin pointed a gun towards the rear passenger in a vehicle

UK envoy to Mexico reportedly sacked after pointing gun

BRITAIN'S ambassador to Mexico was removed from his post after allegedly pointing an assault rifle inside a vehicle carrying embassy staff, reports said Friday.

The UK government said it had taken "appropriate action" after the incident, without confirming that Jon Benjamin had been sacked.


Benjamin was on a work trip to a northwestern region plagued by drug cartel violence when the incident happened, the Financial Times reported.

"Benjamin, a career diplomat, was sacked as ambassador soon after the episode in April," the newspaper said, quoting unnamed people familiar with the matter.

Foreign officials often travel with bodyguards when visiting danger zones in Mexico, it noted.

Viral video

A video posted by an anonymous account on the social media platform X this week appeared to show the moment when Benjamin jokingly pointed the weapon towards the rear of the vehicle.

The face of a passenger - described by the FT as a local embassy employee - sitting in the back seat was blurred out.

"In a context of daily killings in Mexico by drug dealers, he dares to joke," said the account @subdiplomatic, which also complained of alleged mistreatment of Mexican embassy staff.

Around 80 people are murdered every day in the Latin American nation, large swaths of which are controlled by ultra-violent drug cartels.

Asked about the reports, a UK foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP: "We are aware of this incident and have taken appropriate action."

The British government has "robust HR processes" to address "internal issues" when they arise, the person added, without elaborating.

The ministry's website says Benjamin was UK ambassador to Mexico between 2021 and 2024.

According to Benjamin's account on business networking site LinkedIn, his posting in Mexico ended in May.

He joined the diplomatic service in 1986 and has previously served in Ghana, Indonesia, Turkey, and the US.

Neither Benjamin nor the country's embassy in Mexico responded to a request for comment. (Agencies)

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less