Ex UK Ambassador to Ghana, Jon Benjamin sacked from post in Mexico after pointing gun at staff

The British ambassador to Mexico was sacked from his job earlier this year after pointing an assault rifle at a local embassy employee, it has emerged – with footage of the incident spreading online.

In the five second clip, Jon Benjamin can be seen pointing the weapon while seated in the front of a car as music and laughter can be heard.

According to reports, he was on an official trip to Durango and Sinaloa, two northern Mexican states blighted by drug cartel violence.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement to MailOnline: ‘We are aware of this incident and have taken appropriate action. Where internal issues do arise the FCDO has robust HR processes to address them.’

The video of Mr Benjamin, a career ambassador, playing around with the high-powered weapon was posted on a social media account believed to have been created by disgruntled local employees of the British embassy in Mexico City unhappy at their treatment.

A post accompanying the video states: ‘In a context of daily killings in Mexico, he dares to joke.’

Another post adds: ‘The British Embassy in Mexico has a history of hiding things to the public. Including how Jon Benjamin’s attitude of being above everything has resulted in the systematic harassment of Mexican staff.’

Mr Benjamin has been contacted for comment.

Mexico is currently experiencing a wave of violence, much of it caused by drug cartels fighting for control of the lucrative trade.

Mr Benjamin was appointed to Mexico in 2021. He has previously represented the British Government in Chile, Ghana, Turkey, Indonesia, and the United States, during his 35-year career in the diplomatic service.

He is no longer listed as the ambassador to Mexico on the UK government website, with his former deputy now in charge.

This is not the first time that Mr Benjamin has found himself in controversy during his high-profile diplomatic career.

While the UK’s ambassador to Chile in 2012 he was forced into issuing a grovelling apology after posting a derogatory football tweet about Argentinians and the Falklands War.

He added: ‘What were the islands that they took, from whom and for what reason? Maybe I’ll get to know at the National Stadium this Tuesday? I’ve already got my ticket.’

His post caused a national outcry in Argentina with national media accusing him of being rude and insulting the nation.

Mr Benjamin later removed the tweet and apologised, saying: ‘I’m sorry I offended with a private message that I published by mistake. I feel great affection for my Argentine friends and respect for their national side.’

Source: Daily Mail (UK)