Contrary to popular belief, embassies and consulates are not literally extraterritorial. Whoever dragged the guy inside committed a crime, however, if they were consular staff they have diplomatic immunity and thus cannot be punished by the UK beyond expulsion. When the police entered the consular premises to drag the guy back out, THEY violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: "The premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission."
So yeah, this is a diplomatic cluster grenade. But it's likely the UK cop's head which will roll, since they committed a treaty violation against China.
Contrary to popular belief, embassies and consulates are not literally extraterritorial. Whoever dragged the guy inside committed a crime, however, if they were consular staff they have diplomatic immunity and thus cannot be punished by the UK beyond expulsion. When the police entered the consular premises to drag the guy back out, THEY violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: "The premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission."
So yeah, this is a diplomatic cluster grenade. But it's likely the UK cop's head which will roll, since they committed a treaty violation against China.