Tanzanian police arrested a Canadian diplomat Wednesday on accusations he spat at a police officer and a TV journalist.

Jean Touchette, first secretary at the Canadian High Commission in the African country, was arrested by police in Dar es Salaam, the country's largest city and commercial capital, after he allegedly spat at a senior police officer during an argument over a traffic jam on the outskirts of the city, according to Tanzanian newspaper the Daily News.

Touchette is also alleged to have spat in the face of Jerry Muro, a TV journalist with the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, when Muro went to the police station to interview and film the diplomat.

"And I asked him why was he doing it to me," Muro told CBC News. "And he said, 'I'm doing it because you are taking my pictures … and it's my privacy.' "

Muro said the diplomat insulted him, calling him "stupid" and "an idiot."

Touchette has diplomatic immunity and was not charged.

However, Touchette's case has been handed over to the country's director of criminal investigation for further action, the Daily News reported.

The Tanzanian government is reportedly considering whether to expel Touchette.

Robert Orr, Canada's high commissioner in Dar es Salaam, said members of his staff are investigating the case.

"I think we want to make sure we have all the facts before we reach conclusions about what exactly occurred and the full nature of the incident," Orr said.

"I think it's important to ensure that people understand that Canada holds its public servants and its diplomats to a very high standard of behaviour."

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dana Cryderman said the department is aware of the situation and is gathering further information.