Senior US Air Force officer accused over child abuse images was flown out of Britain before police could question him
Lt Col Michael Morris, who faces charges including possession and distribution of child pornography after prosecutors say he swapped abuse images with his brother via Telegram while posted in London.The US embassy in south-west London, from which Morris was posted before being flown out of Britain in August — before Met Police could question him over alleged offences committed on UK soil.
Lt Col Michael Morris, 39, a US Air Force officer who served as assistant military attaché at the US Embassy in south-west London, is charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, obstructing justice, and "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." Prosecutors allege he exchanged more than 75 abuse images of children under 13 with his brother Benjamin Morris via Telegram while stationed in London. The Air Force has scheduled a military hearing for November at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to decide whether the case proceeds to court-martial.
Benjamin Morris, 33, is facing trial in Illinois for 30 counts of making and sending abuse images of under-13s, charges he denies, relating to March-April 2026.
Westminster is raising fresh concerns over US authorities bypassing British legal jurisdiction, as Lt Col Morris left on a civilian flight in August without Met Police questioning him.
The case echoes the Anne Sacoolas row — a US embassy-linked individual departing the UK before British police could act, fuelling anger over diplomatic protection being exploited.
