BRITISH AMBASSADOR APPLAUDED

Britain’s ambassador to Poland has been lauded for his work in promoting gay rights in the central European country.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have written to Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, applauding Ric Todd’s work as an example of how British ambassadorial work “sets a standard which other countries … should follow”.

Todd recently made a Polish language version of the UK Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and their Rights available to Polish gay rights groups leaders in advance of Polish Pride, which was held in Warsaw last Saturday.

The Foreign Office makes the guide available to diplomats who want clear information about the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, no matter what country they are working in.

As a result, Todd has been criticised in Poland for behaving in an “undiplomatic” fashion and going beyond the role of ambassador in distributing the document.

He also has previously been attacked for showing his support for gay rights in Poland. Last year he flew a Rainbow flag in front of the British embassy in Warsaw on the day of the Polish Gay Pride march.

In its letter to David Miliband, Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said: “We would like to encourage more UK Ambassadors to follow Mr Todd’s lead and to proactively promote LGBT rights in their countries and hope that you will continue to support and encourage such actions”.

Todd has been the British ambassador in Warsaw since 2007 and is married with three children. While homosexuality is legal in Poland, the country does not recognise same-sex relationships.