Embassy staff pulled out of Iran
Britain is withdrawing diplomats from Iran after hundreds of protesters stormed its embassy in Tehran.
The Foreign Office today confirmed that a number of staff are leaving the country following the attack on the residential compound.
The mob threw petrol bombs, broke into the ambassador's residence and ransacked offices. They destroyed portraits of the Queen and tore down the Union flag. Six staff members had to take refuge in a secure room for several hours.
The protesters, militant students and members of paramilitary brigades, chanted "Death to England" before breaking into the building yesterday.
David Cameron called the attacks "outrageous and indefensible" as he warned the Iranians that there could be "serious consequences" for failing to protect Britain's diplomatic staff.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "The United Kingdom takes this irresponsible action extremely seriously. It amounts to a grave breach of the Vienna Convention which requires the protection of diplomats and diplomatic premises under all circumstances. We hold the Iranian government responsible."
The attack came after the UK decided to sever ties with the Iranian banking system and parliament after the International Atomic Energy Agency said there is "credible" evidence that Iranian scientists had experimented with a nuclear warhead design.
It led to the Iranians calling for the expulsion of British ambassador Dominick Chilcott.
President Obama urged the Iranian government to hold those responsible to account, saying the "behaviour is unacceptable". The Foreign Office refused to confirm how many staff are being withdrawn nor whether Britain would continue to have an embassy in the country.
A spokesman said: "Ensuring the safety of our staff and their families is our immediate priority. In light of yesterday's events, and to ensure their ongoing safety, some staff are leaving Tehran. We do not comment on our contingency plans."
