BBC获悉，一名被指控持有并传播儿童性虐待材料、但在接受英国警方询问前已离开英国的美国大使馆工作人员，是美国空军的一名高级军官。
The BBC has been told Lt Col Michael Morris, who was flown out of the UK before being questioned by police, is under investigation. By Nick Johnson A US embassy staffer accused of possessing and distributing child sex abuse material, but left the UK before he was questioned by British police, is a high-ranking member of the US Air Force, the BBC has been told.
据BBC了解，此人为迈克尔·莫里斯中校，曾在位于伦敦西南部的美国大使馆担任助理武官。
The BBC understands he is Lieutenant Colonel Michael Morris, who worked as an assistant military attaché at the embassy in south-west London.
调查人员指称，其在美国的兄弟本杰明·莫里斯曾与他共享儿童虐待材料，随后迈克尔·莫里斯接受了美国当局的询问。
He was questioned by American authorities after investigators alleged his US-based brother Benjamin Morris had shared child abuse material with him.
现年33岁的本杰明·莫里斯正在美国伊利诺伊州面临审判，罪名为持有和传播儿童性虐待材料，他否认指控。
Benjamin Morris, 33, is facing trial in the US state of Illinois for the possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material, which he denies.
罗克艾兰德县检察官多拉·比亚雷亚尔向BBC表示，针对本杰明·莫里斯的指控涉及的时间段为2026年3月至4月。
The Rock Island County State Attorney, Dora Villareal, told the BBC the allegations against Benjamin Morris relate to a period between March and April 2026.
其兄长、迈克尔·莫里斯中校于8月乘坐民航客机离开英国，此前未接受英国警方询问。尽管他不具备外交官身份，但据了解，他受外交保护伞庇护。
His brother, Lt Col Michael Morris, was flown out of the UK in August on a civilian flight without first being questioned by British police. While not a diplomat, it is understood he enjoyed the umbrella of diplomatic protection.
9月，美国大使馆向BBC证实，当局正在调查相关指控，并已在调查继续期间将该工作人员调回美国。
In September, the US embassy confirmed to the BBC that authorities are investigating the allegations and they reassigned the staff member to the US while inquiries continued.
此后，美国空军发言人告诉BBC：“迈克尔·莫里斯中校（现任职于华盛顿空军辖区）已被提起指控。
A spokesperson for the US Air Force has since told the BBC: "Charges have been preferred against Lt Col Michael Morris, currently assigned to the Air Force District of Washington.
“指控和证据将接受审查，以决定案件是否应由军事法庭审理。”美国空军表示，“指控仅是指控，空军部成员在被证明有罪之前推定为无罪”。
"The charges and evidence will be reviewed to determine whether the case should be tried by court-martial." The US Air Force said "charges are merely allegations and the Department of the Air Force member is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty".
发言人表示，军事听证会定于11月在华盛顿特区附近的安德鲁斯联合基地举行，只有在案件被移交军事法庭——即正式的军事刑事审判——时，莫里斯中校才会进行答辩。
The spokesperson said a military hearing was due to take place in November at Joint Base Andrews near Washington DC, and Lt Col Morris will only enter a plea if the matter is referred to court-martial - a formal military criminal trial.
美国驻伦敦大使馆此前表示，它“期望所有人员遵守最高行为标准，我们严肃对待这些指控”，并补充说它“迅速通知了英国执法部门并采取了迅速行动”。
The US Embassy in London previously said it "expects all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and we take these allegations seriously", adding it "quickly informed UK law enforcement and took swift action".
伦敦大都会警察局表示：“自他们于8月25日星期二告知我们他们正在调查涉嫌儿童猥亵图像相关犯罪以来，我们一直在与美国当局保持定期联络。
The Metropolitan Police said: "We have been liaising regularly with the US authorities since they made us aware on Tuesday, 25 August of their investigation into suspected offences relating to indecent images of children.
“我们知悉美国已就此案提出指控，法律程序正在进行中。我们仍与美国当局保持联系。”
"We are aware that charges have been brought in the US in relation to this case and that legal proceedings are ongoing.
英国政府发言人表示：“我们期望所有在英国的外国外交官遵守我们的法律，就像我们期望所有英国外交官在海外派驻时也这样做一样。
We remain in contact with the US authorities". A spokesperson for the UK government said: "We expect all foreign diplomats in the UK to abide by our laws, in the same way we expect all UK diplomats to do so when posted overseas.
“由于美国的调查正在进行，在这个阶段进一步置评并不合适。”英国广播公司了解到，政府仍与美国大使馆保持密切联系，包括在部长级层面。
"As a US investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage." The BBC understands the government remains in close contact with the US Embassy, including at a ministerial level.