A former British High Commissioner to New Zealand suffered facial injuries resulting to permanent eye damage after a violent mugging in west London.

George Fergusson, 56, was mugged while he was walking through a Hammersmith cemetery on his way to a dinner party on Friday night.

The Telegraph reported a small amount of cash was taken from Mr Fergusson, and he was able to walk to a nearby hospital. He had surgery on his left eye, but his sight was gone.

The newspaper further reported police have arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of having mugged the diplomat.

Mr Fergusson was the British High Commissioner to New Zealand from 2006 to 2010. He was also the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands and High Commissioner to Samoa.

He recently received a new appointment as Governor of Bermuda, and he is expected to take on the new role in May despite his new condition.

Hammersmith authorities are continuing the investigation on the mugging incident, according to APNZ.