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Originally Posted by Damien
We're dealing with what we've been given. We simply can't ignore it. If we risk upsetting Ecuador then so what? This is big boy politics now and they can't pull a stunt like they have done without facing consequences, they can either deal or face the pressure. Ecuador have granted a very unusual request for Asylum and given us a problem. We can't walk away because 'we're digging a hole for ourselves'. We have obeyed by both international and national laws and have done nothing wrong.
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We're digging a hole for them because we are telling them we can go in despite this being a major headache. We are maneuvering ourselves in a position that we can't explain to either the Swedes, the Ecuadorians or the rest of the world. The smart thing to do would be to say: he's in Ecuadorian Territory now, so he's not our problem. If he sets foot on British territory we'll arrest him and extradite him.
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Revoking diplomatic status is pretty much akin to kicking them out. Granted it's not the same but it's ends up meaning the same thing. They still wouldn't have grounds to go the International Court. They know the law here and we would afford them a legal process to fight it.
Ecuador aren't playing by the same rules anyway. I don't buy this apologist scenario where Ecuador can screw us and we have to take it to avoid upsetting them.
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Kicking the Ecuadorian diplomats out would not be a wise move either. First, it would mean that we don't have an official channel to talk to them. Second, kicking the diplomats out is usually only done as a last resort (we still have an embassy in Argentina, and we're not exactly best mates with the Argies). Third, the UK would be seen as untrustworthy as it severs diplomatic ties with a country over something as trivial as who the country grants asylum (which ultimately is an internal issue).
Really, we are digging a big hole in my opinion. Neither of the two options is viable. We really are best off holding our hands up and saying "there's not a lot we can do right now".