Myanmar's U.K. ambassador locked out of London embassy in apparent 'coup' by his own deputy

Myanmar's ambassador to the United Kingdom told Reuters he was locked out of the London embassy on Wednesday, with sources saying his deputy had shut him out of the building and taken charge on behalf of the military.

The military seized power in Myanmar in a coup in February and have cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.

Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn has broken ranks with the ruling junta in recent weeks, calling for the release of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"I have been locked out," he told Reuters outside the embassy in central London.

"It's a kind of coup, in the middle of London ... you can see that they occupy my building," he said, notingthat he was talking to Britain's foreign ministry about the situation.

WATCH | The ambassador is left standing on the street:

Myanmar's U.K. ambassador locked out of his embassy

4 years ago

Duration 0:42

Myanmar's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Kyaw Zwar Minn, was locked out of the embassy in London Wednesday, reportedly by his own deputy.

Four diplomatic sources with knowledge of the matter said that deputy ambassador Chit Win had taken over as charg d'affaires and that he and the military attachhad locked the ambassador out of the building.

Kyaw Zwar Minn spoke next to the embassy, where police were standing guard. He spoke to protesters on the street outside.

"We are aware of a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair, London. Public order officers are in attendance. There have (been) no arrests," police said in a statement.

Last month, ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn had called for the release of Suu Kyi and ousted President Win Myint, drawing praise for his "courage" from British foreign minister Dominic Raab.

"This is my building, I need to go inside. That's why I'm waiting here," Kyaw Zwar Minn told Reuters.

U.K.has imposed sanctions

Britain has sanctioned members of Myanmar's military and some of its business interests in the wake of the coup, and has demanded the restoration of democracy.

British officials were talking to representatives from both sides and the police, with the aim of resolving the stand-off at the embassy quickly and calmly.

"We are seeking further information following an incident at Myanmar's embassy in London," a British foreign office spokespersonsaid in a statement.