Brussels warns Britain against downgrading EU ambassador’s status

Denying mission full privileges under the Vienna convention risks poisoning diplomatic ties, No 10 told

Downing Street has been warned by Brussels that downgrading the status of the EU's ambassador to the UK will poison diplomatic relations for years to come.

The UK has so far declined to grant the bloc's representative, Joao Vale de Almeida, and his 25-strong mission the privileges and immunities afforded to diplomats under the Vienna convention.