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Harry Dunn: Anne Sacoolas extradition request rejected by USA

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Harry Dunn's family are suing the Trump administration for "lawless misconduct" and starting legal action against Anne Sacoolas - the driver involved in the crash that killed the teenager.

The 19-year-old died after being knocked off his motorbike near RAF Croughton, a US spy base, on 27 August.

Mrs Sacoolas is believed to have been driving on the wrong side of the road and returned to America soon after the incident.

She was granted immunity from prosecution because her husband is a US diplomat.

Harry's family have been fighting a high-profile campaign to get Mrs Sacoolas to return to the UK to answer questions.

They met President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this month - Mrs Sacoolas was in the building but they turned down an unexpected last-minute offer to meet her.

The family have already started a case against the UK Foreign Office over the decision to grant her immunity.

Spokesman for the Dunns, Radd Seiger, said their legal fight is now moving to the next level and will be a "memorial" to Harry.

"We are bringing claims against both Mrs Sacoolas in the USA for civil damages as well as the Trump administration for their lawless misconduct and attempt to cover that up," said a statement.

"No one is above the law and the family are determined to ensure that this never happens to another family again.

"It will be Harry's memorial. His legacy."

Mr Seiger said the US government had tried to "twist and contort the laws on diplomatic immunity" and called the White House attempt to get the family and Mrs Sacoolas in the same room a "disgusting stunt".

Shortly after their meeting with Mr Trump, Harry's parents praised the president's apparent sincerity but their anger was clear in today's statement.

"The Trump administration is not only hell bent on breaking international laws, rules and conventions on diplomatic immunity, but they have no care or concern for the welfare of Harry's family or any real intent on finding a solution," said their spokesman.

He added: "President Trump told mum Charlotte at the meeting that we would look to approach the problem from a different angle, but the family have heard no further and have no faith in his words."

British police confirmed last week that they would interview Mrs Sacoolas under caution in the US after she requested to be interviewed there by Northamptonshire Police.

They say she had "cooperated fully" and had spoken to them at the scene after the crash and the next day at her home.

Mrs Sacoolas previously said through her lawyer that she was "devastated by this tragic accident" but Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, rejected the apology, saying "sorry doesn't cut it".

https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...-for-lawless-misconduct-and-cover-up-11848247
 
Harry Dunn: Chief constable criticised for 'sad but predictable' tweet

The parents of Harry Dunn are calling for a chief constable to resign over an "outrageous" comment he made on social media about the case.

On Tuesday night, Nick Adderley, chief constable for Northamptonshire Police, responded to a tweet about how the family had instructed lawyers in the US to sue Anne Sacoolas for civil damages and the Trump administration for "misconduct and cover up".

Sky News understands the tweet was online for less than 10 minutes before it was deleted.

The chief constable's force is investigating the death of Harry Dunn, who died in a collision near RAF Croughton in August.

The suspect, American driver Anne Sacoolas, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and returned to the US.

Harry's parents, who have been unhappy with the inquiry into their son's death, had already requested their lawyers refer Northamptonshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

In a statement given to Sky News, they said of the tweet: "We couldn't quite believe our eyes when we saw it. It is totally outrageous and absurd for him to take sides and it is clear now that he is just against us. We are so angry at him.

"He cannot continue in his job and we are calling on him to resign immediately for the good of our case and for the good of the people of Northamptonshire who should be able to rely on their head of police for impartiality and fairness.

"We have said numerous times that we have felt totally unsupported by Northants Police and not been kept updated on progress of the case in accordance with our rights under the victims' code."

Chief Constable Nick Adderley said: "The tweet was in reference to the profound sadness at the loss of Harry Dunn, that the spokesperson for the family has been absolutely clear on the next steps in fighting for justice for Harry and that the only recourse to justice that they feel they have available to them at the moment is through the US civil court system.

"I deleted it with a view to re-writing it with more context but was called away to deal with something else.

"I meant no offence by my tweet and apologise if it has been in any way misconstrued or misinterpreted.

"This is an extremely tragic case in which a young man has lost his life and Northamptonshire Police is committed to carrying out a thorough and comprehensive investigation with a view to submitting a completed file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service shortly."

The county's police, fire and crime commissioner Stephen Mold told Sky News that he had spoken to the chief constable about the tweet and said that "all force communication" should "remain professional and sensitive".

Mr Mold said: "I know that Northamptonshire Police has, throughout, sought to investigate Harry Dunn's death thoroughly and fairly so that the family can find the justice they seek.

"I am sorry that this tweet has distracted from the important work taking place to resolve this tragic situation. I am grateful that it was brought to my attention and I have spoken to the chief constable about the need for all force communication - on this and all other issues - to remain professional and sensitive at all times."

Spokesperson for the Justice4Harry campaign, Radd Seiger, told Sky News: "We have now seen the attempted explanations from Mr Adderley and the police and crime commissioner Mr Mold.

"They are both frankly incredulous and do not stand up to scrutiny. Even if it were true, Mr Adderley has displayed a staggering degree of unprofessionalism with this tweet such that he no longer commands our confidence."

https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...icised-for-sad-but-predictable-tweet-11849791
 
Police investigating the death of 19-year-old Harry Dunn have handed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Northamptonshire Police completed the file after interviewing crash suspect Anne Sacoolas, the 42-year-old wife of a diplomat, in the US on Thursday.

Mr Dunn died in hospital after the crash outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August.

Spokesman Radd Seiger said the Dunn family were pleased the file had been handed over to CPS "at long last".

Mr Dunn's parents are campaigning for justice after Mrs Sacoolas returned to the US, claiming diplomatic immunity, shortly after the crash.

The CPS will now make a decision based on the evidence in the file whether to bring charges forward against anyone involved in the case.

The BBC has been asked the CPS for comment.

Mr Dunn's motorbike crashed with a car owned by US citizen Mrs Sacoolas outside the Northamptonshire airbase on 27 August.

His parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, travelled to the US as part of their campaign and have been calling for Mrs Sacoolas to answer questions over their son's death.

Harry Dunn crash: What is diplomatic immunity?
Mr Seiger said: "On 26 September the family were told they had less than 1% chance of somebody being held accountable for the loss of their son.

"I believe we would not be in this scenario were it not for the incredible determination of the most courageous and dignified family I have ever met - who have moved heaven and earth to get justice for their son on both sides of the Atlantic."

Mr Dunn's family has announced plans to sue Mrs Sacoolas, and said lawyers would also look at "lawless misconduct" of the US administration.

Legal action has also been launched against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the family intends to refer Northamptonshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of the investigation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-50263769
 
The parents of teenager Harry Dunn have been told by the government their claims of abuse of power by the foreign secretary are "without foundation".

The 19-year-old died in hospital after a crash in Northamptonshire in August. US suspect Anne Sacoolas left the UK claiming diplomatic immunity.

Mr Dunn's parents allege the granting of immunity by Dominic Raab was "wrong in law".

The Foreign Office (FCO) has written to the family rejecting the allegations.

It told the BBC it had sent a letter - seen by the BBC - to Mr Dunn's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, but would not comment on its content. It expressed its "deepest sympathy" to the family.

In the letter, the FCO said it would "seek costs" for any judicial review brought and argues the family has not found "any reasonably arguable ground of legal challenge".

It said the allegation that the foreign secretary had "misused and/or abused his power" was "entirely without foundation".

Mr Dunn's motorbike crashed with a car owned by Mrs Sacoolas, the 42-year-old wife of a US diplomat Jonathan Sacoolas, outside RAF Croughton, near Brackley, on 27 August.

Northamptonshire Police has handed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service after interviewing Mrs Sacoolas in the US.

Family spokesman, Radd Seiger, said Mr Dunn's parents were in the process of "digesting" the letter from the FCO with lawyers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-50365968
 
The chief constable of Northamptonshire Police says he is confident a charge will be made “any time soon” in the case of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn, who was killed in a crash.

Nick Adderley, who met Harry’s dad and family spokesman Radd Seiger on Tuesday morning, said he must remain impartial during the investigation but that could change if a charge is made.

Harry’s mum, Charlotte Charles, did not attend the meeting after “collapsing into a heap” after seeing images of suspect Anne Sacoolas “moving on with her life” in the US, Mr Sieger said.

Ms Sacoolas is thought to have been driving on the wrong side of the road when she knocked Harry, 19, off his motorbike near the RAF Croughton base in August and has since sought diplomatic immunity - due to her husband's role with the US government as an intelligence official - and has refused to return to the UK.

The family is also set to meet Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Tuesday afternoon and will ask for every step the Foreign Office has taken to “clear the path to justice”.

Mr Adderley told reporters: “We are optimistic that a charge is going to be coming any time soon, once that charge is out there then [I will be leading] how we move forward in terms of extradition.

“If there isn’t an extradition application I will want to know why. I am confident that there will be and, again, once that charge is laid then my impartiality in terms of not interfering with that process means that has gone slightly.

“At the end of the day there is a resident within the county that I am responsible for who has died on the road and no-one has been held to account for it, that’s not acceptable.”

Both Mr Sieger and Mr Adderley described their meeting as positive and said their shared focus is to bring justice to the Dunn family.

Mr Sieger told reporters Harry’s mum was devastated after seeing pictures gathered by ITV News of suspect Ms Sacoolas driving in the US.

He said: “Charlotte has not been able to meet today with the chief constable because she is just in bits and pieces and seeing that footage of Anne Sacoolas seemingly moving on with her life.

“The impression that we formed was almost without a care in the world - that may not be fair but that’s what it felt [like], she just collapsed in a heap and I’ve struggled to pick her up ever since.”

Mr Adderley highlighted the relationship between himself and the family is good, despite an earlier “fallout” over a tweet he previously posted.

He said: “I do want to make the point that the fallout, or the perceived fallout, between me personally, the chief constable, and with Radd and the family has been a total misunderstanding.”

He said certain tweets and conversations have been “completely misconstrued”.

“We are now at a place where we understand each other,” he added.

While Ms Cross was not present on Tuesday morning, she has previously said of her son: "Everyone loved him, we're utterly broken inside and out, everything hurts day and night, it's an effort to do anything, I ache from it, every limb, every internal organ hurts."

The 19-year-old's parents have said before they will do everything they can, even travelling to the US, to get "justice" for their "big-hearted" and "fun-loving" son.

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-12-17...ter-positive-conversations-with-police-chief/
 
A US woman will be charged with the death by dangerous driving of motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

Mr Dunn, 19, died in the road crash in Northamptonshire in August that led to suspect, Anne Sacoolas, leaving for the US under diplomatic immunity.

The move comes after a file was handed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on 1 November.

The CPS said immunity did not apply to dependants of consular officials outside of London.

Mr Dunn died after his motorbike was in collision with a car owned by Mrs Sacoolas outside RAF Croughton, where her husband Jonathan was an intelligence officer.

Mrs Sacoolas, 42, left the UK and returned to her native US, claiming diplomatic immunity.

The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said a review into the immunity arrangements at Croughton for US personnel and their families had concluded.

It found that it was an "anomaly" that family members had "greater protection from UK criminal jurisdiction than the officers themselves".

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-50870459
 
Harry Dunn's family have criticised the lawyer for the US woman charged over his death, saying her stance "boggles the mind and is deeply disturbing".

They said the suggested reason for Anne Sacoolas not to return to the UK - a potentially long jail sentence - was "unworthy of someone of her standing".

It comes after lawyer Amy Jeffress said the possible 14-year prison sentence was "not proportionate" for what was "a terrible but unintentional accident".

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has promised to continue to press the US on behalf of the family of Harry Dunn "at every level".

Sacoolas, the wife of an American intelligence officer, left the country after the car she was driving was involved in a crash in which Mr Dunn died outside an RAF base in Northamptonshire in August.

The 42-year-old suspect sparked public outrage after claiming diplomatic immunity through her husband's job.

It was only after she had left the UK on a military flight from the air base that the Foreign Office wrote to the 19-year-old's family to say she did not have immunity.

Sacoolas was charged with death by dangerous driving on Friday, following a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service.

But Ms Jeffress said her client had "co-operated fully with the investigation" and would not return voluntarily to the UK.

She said: "This was an accident, and a criminal prosecution with a potential penalty of 14 years' imprisonment is simply not a proportionate response."

The State Department has also said the extradition of a former diplomat's wife to the UK would be an "egregious abuse".

However, the Dunns said they took the comments with a "pinch of salt".

Family spokesman Radd Seiger said the lawyer's statement "boggles the mind and is deeply disturbing".

He said: "For Ms Jeffress to seek to undermine one of the most mature, well-developed legal systems in the world, which has fairness at its heart, and which many countries around the world have modelled their legal systems on, is unbecoming of any lawyer, let alone someone of her stature."

Boris Johnson is asked about the Harry Dunn case while visiting troops in Estonia

'We'll make representations at every level' in Dunn case
He added: "But to seek to gainsay what penalty a judge might hand down, if any, before all the evidence is heard, and to use the maximum possible sentence, which is a matter entirely for the court having heard all the evidence and following clear guidelines laid down by legislators, as a reason not to return, frankly as I say, is unworthy of someone of her standing.

"She knows well that this is fair legal system, in fact one of the fairest in the world."

The maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is 14 years in prison but road safety charity Brake says that in most cases it is "much lower than the maximum, unless there are many aggravating factors and multiple deaths".

Recent case law suggests that in the absence of such aggravating circumstances a sentence of one to two years would be more likely.

On a visit to Estonia to see British troops, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government was still trying to bring its pressure to bear.

"The law should take its course and we'll be following the case with keen interest and continuing to make representations on behalf of Harry Dunn's family in the US at every level," said Mr Johnson.

https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...e-sacoolass-lawyer-deeply-disturbing-11892116
 
The family of Harry Dunn are to meet Home Secretary Priti Patel as her office considers extraditing the suspect charged with causing the teenager's death by dangerous driving.

Ms Patel's meeting with Harry's mother Charlotte Charles and father Tim Dunn comes just days after the Crown Prosecution Service said they had authorised Northamptonshire Police to charge US citizen Anne Sacoolas.

The CPS said that extradition proceedings had started, noting that the "Home Office is responsible for considering our request and deciding whether to formally issue this through US diplomatic channels".

"Our specialist extradition team will be working closely with the UK Central Authority at the Home Office to do this," the service added.

Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger tweeted that he was "very much" looking forward to meeting Ms Patel and South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom "to discuss the tragic loss of Harry".

Sacoolas, the wife of an American intelligence officer, left the UK after the car she was driving was involved in a crash in which Mr Dunn died outside an RAF base in Northamptonshire in August.

The 42-year-old suspect sparked public outrage after claiming diplomatic immunity through her husband's job.

It was only after she had left the UK on a military flight from the air base that the Foreign Office wrote to the 19-year-old's family to say she did not have immunity.

Following the charging decision, Sacoolas' lawyer Amy Jeffress said her client had "co-operated fully with the investigation" and would not return voluntarily to the UK.

She said: "This was an accident, and a criminal prosecution with a potential penalty of 14 years' imprisonment is simply not a proportionate response."

The State Department has also said the extradition of a former diplomat's wife to the UK would be an "egregious abuse".

However, the Dunns said they took the comments with a "pinch of salt".

Mr Seiger said the lawyer's statement "boggles the mind and is deeply disturbing".

He said: "For Ms Jeffress to seek to undermine one of the most mature, well-developed legal systems in the world, which has fairness at its heart, and which many countries around the world have modelled their legal systems on, is unbecoming of any lawyer, let alone someone of her stature."

He added: "But to seek to gainsay what penalty a judge might hand down, if any, before all the evidence is heard, and to use the maximum possible sentence, which is a matter entirely for the court having heard all the evidence and following clear guidelines laid down by legislators, as a reason not to return, frankly as I say, is unworthy of someone of her standing.

"She knows well that this is fair legal system, in fact one of the fairest in the world."

Boris Johnson is asked about the Harry Dunn case while visiting troops in Estonia

'We'll make representations at every level' in Dunn case
The maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is 14 years in prison but road safety charity Brake says that in most cases it is "much lower than the maximum, unless there are many aggravating factors and multiple deaths".

Recent case law suggests that in the absence of such aggravating circumstances a sentence of one to two years would be more likely.

On a visit to Estonia to see British troops, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government was still trying to bring its pressure to bear.

"The law should take its course and we'll be following the case with keen interest and continuing to make representations on behalf of Harry Dunn's family in the US at every level," said Mr Johnson.
https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...retary-as-extradition-process-begins-11892925
 
Home Secretary Priti Patel has formally sent an extradition notice to the US Justice Department for Anne Sacoolas over a fatal accident in which a British teenager was killed.

Mrs Sacoolas left the UK after the car she was driving hit motorcyclist Harry Dunn, 19, outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August.

In December, she was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with death by dangerous driving.

She is still in the US having claimed diplomatic immunity shortly after the fatal accident. Her husband is a diplomat, thought to be a US intelligence officer.

Radd Seiger, a spokesman for the Dunn family, described the move as a "significant day".

He told Sky News: "Everything they have been through it's a very, very significant day toward the promise that they made to their son the night that he died, which is they would get him justice.

"We are much, much closer now than we were a few months ago when they were told nobody would be held accountable.

"I am 100% sure that Anne Sacoolas will be back in the UK to face the justice system. Anne Sacoolas has to come back and she will come back, I have no doubt.

"The precedent that she would set if she doesn't come back would be unimaginable."

He added: "I fundamentally believe as Harry did and Harry's parents, that no one is above the law, whether you're a diplomat or not, diplomatic immunity does not give you a get out of jail free card in these circumstances."

The family's MP, Andrea Leadsom, has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask him to meet Harry's parents over the case.

She wrote: "I have met Harry's parents a number of times and they are understandably finding it extremely difficult to start to grieve for their son fully until there is some closure in the case.

"Though they understand that you are of course extremely busy, a face-to-face meeting would go a long way to assure them that the case and their concerns are being taken seriously."

The US State Department and Mrs Sacoolas' legal team have both indicated she will not willingly return to face the charge.

On Friday, the State Department said the extradition request "would be highly inappropriate".

Last month, a lawyer for Mrs Sacoolas suggested a potentially long jail sentence over the accident was "unworthy of someone of her standing".

Amy Jeffress said the possible 14-year prison sentence was "not a proportionate response" for what was "a terrible but unintentional accident", while the US State Department said the extradition of a former diplomat's wife would be an "egregious abuse".

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "Following the Crown Prosecution Service's charging decision, the Home Office has sent an extradition request to the United States for Anne Sacoolas on charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

"This is now a decision for the US authorities."

https://news.sky.com/story/anne-sac...diplomats-wife-over-harry-dunn-death-11905753
 
The United States has criticised the UK's request to extradite an American accused of killing motorcyclist Harry Dunn, calling it "highly inappropriate".

Mr Dunn, 19, died after being hit by a car allegedly driven by suspect Anne Sacoolas, who left the country for the US claiming diplomatic immunity.

The Home Office submitted a request on Friday to extradite her to the UK.

Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said she will "100% be coming back".

"I have no doubt in my mind, the only thing I can't tell you is when," he told BBC Breakfast.

"This campaign won't stop until Anne Sacoolas is back in the UK facing the justice system. There is no celebration and until she is back, we won't rest.

"This lady is accused of taking Harry's life, then fleeing the country. No-one is above the law in modern society. You don't get to move to a country, break a law in that country and then leave."

Mr Seiger said that under the circumstances, the family was "really pleased" the UK authorities had taken the "huge step towards justice", but if the Trump administration was to ignore or reject the request, it would be re-presented should another administration come into power.

Can Anne Sacoolas be extradited?
The extradition request is sent via the British Embassy to the US State Department.

A lawyer will then decide whether it falls under the dual-criminality treaty, where the alleged offence is a crime in both countries and carries a prison sentence of at least a year.

The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years' imprisonment, although this is usually reserved for the most serious cases.

The US may reject the request for extradition, arguing that Mrs Sacoolas is still entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Is extraditing Anne Sacoolas a realistic prospect?

The crash happened outside RAF Croughton, where Mrs Sacoolas' husband Jonathan worked as an intelligence officer. Mr Dunn died after his motorbike was in collision with a car owned by Mrs Sacoolas.

The 42-year-old left the UK shortly after the crash on 27 August and returned to the US, prompting a justice campaign by the teenager's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn.

Mrs Sacoolas was charged in December by the Crown Prosecution Service with causing death by dangerous driving and the Home Office submitted its extradition request to the US Department of Justice.

A spokeswoman for the US State Department said: "It is the position of the United States government that a request to extradite an individual under these circumstances would be an abuse.

"The use of an extradition treaty to attempt to return the spouse of a former diplomat by force would establish an extraordinarily troubling precedent."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-51075235
 
Boris Johnson says he will raise the issue of the driving standards of US personnel with American officials, in the wake of the death of Harry Dunn.

Speaking ahead of a conference in Berlin, the prime minister said: "We're certainly raising all those issues - about the driving habits of US personnel at the base - and we're continuing to work for justice for Harry Dunn and for his family."

The teenager died in a head-on crash with a car on 27 August last year near to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

The driver of the car, Anne Sacoolas, claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US, where she has been since Harry died.

Yesterday, police revealed that diplomatic cars were driven on the wrong side of the road in two separate incidents near the RAF base where the teenager was killed.

Mr Johnson has previously described the chances of the US handing over Anne Sacoolas as "very low".

Mrs Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US, where she has been since Harry died.

Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, and his father Tim Dunn have sought assurances that safety measures are in place to make sure there are no similar incidents.

Police say they have called for talks with the base commander at RAF Croughton to discuss driving standards on the roads around it.

Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger told Sky News he welcomed the prime minister's comments, but said the family are "disappointed it's taken this long to get to this level of interest in [Harry's death]".

"It's not going to be resolved at leadership level, it's going to be resolved here [on the roads around RAF Croughton]," he added.

"What we want to see is a complete safety review, with risk assessments involving road safety experts, the police, the people on the base and the residents and we all sit down and look at all issues.

"It's not about the driving habits of American personnel on the base, that's just one small part of it, but there are lots of things that can be done to improve safety in the area and we need to sit down urgently."

Mr Seiger said it is down to "luck rather than judgement" that "no blood has been shed since Harry".

He said he has been informed of "dozens and dozens" of other incidents around the country of people "suffering harm or worse" at the hands of American drivers around these bases.

Mr Seiger said: "It's been a shock for me to learn about it, but it's all been swept under the carpet. Harry was not a one off."

He said while there is "lots of good discussion [around the case] at a diplomatic level", he is not holding out hope for any positive results coming from Mr Johnson's involvement.

Mr Seiger said it is essential Mrs Sacoolas returns to the UK in order to resolve the situation.

The British government has submitted an extradition request for Mrs Sacoolas, who has been formally charged over Harry's death with causing death by dangerous driving.

However, the US has called the request "highly inappropriate".
https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...issue-of-us-driving-with-mike-pompeo-11912523
 
Last edited:
The US has turned down an extradition request for a woman who is to be charged with causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

Mr Dunn, 19, died after a crash in Northamptonshire in August which led to the suspect Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US intelligence officer, leaving for the US under diplomatic immunity.

Family spokesman Radd Seiger said they had taken the news "in our stride".

The Home Office said the decision appeared "to be a denial of justice".

Extradition proceedings were launched earlier this month.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Seiger said the latest move had been "factored it into our planning and strategy".

"The reality is that this administration, which we say is behaving lawlessly and taking a wrecking ball to one of the greatest alliances in the world, they won't be around forever whereas that extradition request will be," he added.

"We will simply plot and plan for a reasonable administration to come in one day and to reverse this decision."

'Highly inappropriate'
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo turned down the extradition request in an email to the UK Government on Thursday evening.

Washington said granting the request would "render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity".

The family's constituency MP Andrea Leadsom is due to meet the US ambassador Woody Johnson in London later to discuss the case.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously said the chance of Ms Sacoolas, who is to be charged with causing the death by dangerous driving, ever returning to the UK was very low.

Mr Seiger said "no reason" was given by Mr Pompeo in rejecting the extradition request.

"It's one of the darkest days in the history of this special relationship," he said.

"Boris Johnson wanted to be prime minister, he is now being tested severely.

"I expect him today to rise to that challenge and come and meet with me and the family and tell us what he's going to do about it."

Mr Dunn died after his motorbike was in collision with a car owned by Mrs Sacoolas.

The crash happened outside RAF Croughton where Mrs Sacoolas' husband Jonathan worked as an intelligence officer.

The 42-year-old left the UK and returned to her native US, claiming diplomatic immunity.

In a statement released on behalf of the suspect after she was charged in December, Mrs Sacoolas's lawyers said: "Anne will not return voluntarily to the United Kingdom to face a potential jail sentence for what was a terrible but unintentional accident."

Image caption
Harry Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles is expected to be react fully to the news on Friday
The Home Office said it was "disappointed in this decision which appears to be a denial of justice".

"We are urgently considering our options," a spokeswoman added.

A statement from the US State Department said: "At the time the accident occurred, and for the duration of her stay in the UK, the US citizen driver in this case had immunity from criminal jurisdiction.

"If the United States were to grant the UK's extradition request, it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-51228262
 
Boris Johnson has "reiterated the need" for the US suspect in the Harry Dunn case to return to the UK in a phone conversation with Donald Trump.

A Number 10 spokesman said the prime minister told the US president of the need for Anne Sacoolas to return to the UK, after the US rejected an earlier extradition request.

The 19-year-old died after his motorbike was hit by a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August last year.

A Number 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister raised the tragic case of Harry Dunn, and the need to secure justice for Harry’s family.

“He reiterated the need for the individual involved to return to the UK.”

Mrs Sacoolas, 42, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy.

She was charged with causing Harry’s death by dangerous driving by the Crown Prosecution Service in December.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom met Harry’s family on Friday, the day after she had informed them of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision to refuse the request.

Ms Leadsom held talks with US ambassador Woody Johnson, the commander of RAF Croughton Colonel Bridget McNamara and the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police.

The family’s constituency MP, Mrs Leadsom said she had expressed her disappointment on their behalf during the discussion with the US ambassador.

She told reporters that the prime minister is “very much on the side of the family in their desire to see justice done”, adding: “All of us in Government are working to that end.”

A spokesman for the US State Department said the request was rejected because it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and set an extraordinarily troubling precedent.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the move “amounts to a denial of justice” as he expressed the Government’s disappointment at the decision.

The Foreign Office maintains the suspect had diplomatic immunity, which has been disputed by the family, but Mr Raab said he would look to “resolve the issue” surrounding any immunity given to staff at the RAF Croughton base.

https://www.itv.com/news/2020-01-25...y-dunn-suspect-to-return-to-uk-in-trump-call/
 
Glad that the British authorities are relentlessly persisting. You take someone's life, you take responsibility
 
Harry Dunn's family and alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein have joined forces to call for Anne Sacoolas and Prince Andrew to co-operate with law enforcement.

Lisa Bloom, a lawyer for six alleged victims of convicted sex offender Epstein, and the Dunn family's spokesman Radd Seiger have called for both Mrs Sacoolas to return to the UK and Andrew to face questioning from the FBI in the US.

Mrs Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat, has been charged with causing the death of 19-year-old Mr Dunn by dangerous driving after he was killed in a crash outside an RAF base in Northamptonshire in August.

The case sparked controversy as she was allowed to return to the US after claiming diplomatic immunity because of her husband's work.

Meanwhile, Virginia Roberts Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and allegedly had sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17 years old - still a minor under US law. The Duke of York has strenuously denied the allegations.

In a news conference on Wednesday, Ms Bloom said the "parallels between the two cases are eerie".


"Today we stand with the family of Harry Dunn and they stand with us," Ms Bloom said.

"Both Mrs Sacoolas and Prince Andrew must cooperate with law enforcement.

"I call upon my government, the United States, to return Mrs Sacoolas to the UK to face justice there.

"I call upon the Crown in the UK to require Prince Andrew to come to the US to answer law enforcement questions about Jeffrey Epstein and his own behaviour."

She added: "No one is above the law."

Mr Seiger said the US government's decision to refuse to extradite Mrs Sacoolas was "legally indefensible" and "effectively ripping up the treaty".

Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry
Image:
Jeffrey Epstein died in August
Asked by a reporter if the pair are proposing a "swap", Mr Seiger said: "It can never be a swap but at the heart of extradition treaties is reciprocity.

"If you want me as a nation to send people you want to prosecute, you have to agree to do the same thing.

"It can never be a straight swap but be careful what you wish for.

"If you want people from the UK like Prince Andrew, Julian Assange.. you have to think about making sure that treaty is followed to the letter."

Mr Seiger said after meeting Kiki, an alleged victim of Epstein also present at the news conference, what "you see every day is a strengthening and stiffening of resolve".

In a message to Andrew, Mr Seiger added: "If you have nothing to hide get on a plane and meet with Kiki, and help her and help other victims ... there's no other way."

'I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady'
During a Newsnight interview, Andrew said he did not recall meeting Ms Giuffre and insisted the alleged encounter in 2001 did not happen as he went to Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter, Princess Beatrice, that day.

On Wednesday, Ms Bloom said that following the duke's Newsnight interview she had been contacted by a woman who claimed she saw him and Ms Giuffte together in a club on the night they allegedly had sex.

The lawyer said the woman recalled accidentally stepping on someone's foot in the London club and later realised it was the royal.

Ms Bloom said the woman was willing to talk to law enforcement if asked but she was "in fear of the repercussions" because Andrew is a "powerful person".

A Buckingham Palace spokesman refused to comment after being contacted by Sky News on Wednesday.

https://news.sky.com/story/prince-a...-must-cooperate-with-law-enforcement-11926899
 
LONDON (Reuters) - Interpol has issued a wanted notice for Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a U.S. diplomat, who is wanted in Britain over a fatal car crash in a case that has caused friction between London and Washington, ITV reported on Monday.

“An Interpol Red Notice has been issued for 42-year-old Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a U.S. intelligence official charged with causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn by dangerous driving,” ITV reporter Adam Clark said on Twitter.

Interpol’s website says a Red Notice is “a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.” Interpol issues such requests at the request of a member country, and they are not an international arrest warrant.

Britain in January criticised the United States for refusing to extradite Sacoolas, saying it amounted to a “denial of justice”. The U.S. State Department has said Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity and that to extradite her would set “an extraordinarily troubling precedent”.

Neither Interpol nor Britain’s foreign ministry immediately responded to requests for comment on the report.

The case prompted an intervention from President Donald Trump in October last year, when he hosted Dunn’s parents at the White House and tried unsuccessfully to persuade them to meet with Sacoolas, without having given them prior notice that she was in the building.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ght-over-fatal-uk-car-crash-itv-idUSKBN22N28O
 
The advantage of being the lone super power. Get away with anything / everything.
[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION]

Is this a one way alliance?
 
Harry Dunn: Anne Sacoolas immunity 'absurd' says diplomacy expert

Did Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US intelligence officer in Britain, have diplomatic immunity when she allegedly killed Harry Dunn in a road accident in Northamptonshire last August?

Harry's parents insist that she didn't, and that she can be tried for causing his death.

The Foreign Office and the US embassy in London argue that she did.

Now one of Britain's top experts on diplomacy has poured scorn on the British and American argument.

The Dunns' lawyers, headed by Geoffrey Robertson QC, asked Sir Ivor Roberts, a former British ambassador in Serbia, Ireland and Italy, for his opinion. After retiring from the diplomatic service Sir Ivor was head of Trinity College, Oxford.

His report on the arguments produced by the British and US governments, which I have read, is remarkably strongly worded.

Mrs Sacoolas's husband was an American intelligence officer based at RAF Croughton. That gave him a certain level of diplomatic immunity. The British and US governments maintain that this meant that, as his wife, Mrs Sacoolas had immunity too.

Sir Ivor says this is "a palpable absurdity".

He quotes a letter of agreement between the Foreign Office and the US ambassador to Britain in August 1995 about the American personnel at RAF Croughton. This says explicitly that diplomatic immunity for people like Mr Sacoolas would not apply for "acts performed outside the course of their duties".

If Mr Sacoolas wasn't covered for acts outside his duties, Sir Ivor says, it would be absurd for Mrs Sacoolas, who had no official position, to be immune from prosecution when her husband wasn't.

He doesn't mince his words. "It was clearly not anticipated that this agreement might be dishonourably challenged by the US government through their embassy in London," he says.

In Sir Ivor's view both the British and US sides knew that back in 1995 they had agreed that "both agents and their dependants" were subject to British criminal law in their non-work activities at RAF Croughton.

For the Americans to argue the opposite would, he said, be regarded by professional diplomats as a breach of good faith.

Words and expressions like "palpable absurdity", "dishonourably" and "breach of good faith" are rare from a top expert on diplomacy.

Although the judges at the High Court agreed that Sir Ivor was a leading figure in the study of diplomacy, they did not accept his report on the technical grounds that he was not a practising lawyer.

They rejected an application by the Dunns to force the Foreign Office to disclose evidence relating to a "secret agreement" between the US and British governments.

But this was a preliminary hearing, and it seems reasonable to assume that Sir Ivor's scathing opinion of the case presented by the Foreign Office and the US embassy will have an influence on the case as it continues.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-53132168
 
The US refused to extradite Amanda Knox to Italy, what makes Britain think they will happily extradite Anne Sacoolas?
 
US Spy chiefs are plotting to redevelop the intelligence hub where British teenager Harry Dunn was killed on his motorbike last year.

The 19-year-old's family have told Sky News they are "outraged" and "deeply upset" over plans to erect new radar domes and four other buildings at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

The Americans who run the base never discuss personnel or what they do, but CIA agents are among those who are stationed there.

Former intelligence officer Anne Sacoolas, whose husband also worked in intelligence at the base, hit Harry Dunn head on while driving on the wrong side of the road outside the base last August.

She then left the UK claiming diplomatic immunity and the British government is currently trying to extradite her to face justice.

Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, told Sky News it was "the height of arrogance" for the US to expect it can be "business as usual" at RAF Croughton.

In an open letter she wrote: "It appears to be the case that what is uppermost in the US government's mind, so soon after Harry's death, is to bring forward plans to expand their operations at the base.

"It has upset us all terribly and caused outrage in the community."

She added that it "shows the contempt they have for us as a nation and how little they really think of the importance of Harry's life".

The US authorities have not commented on the proposed changes but a UK government spokesperson insisted: "This is not an expansion of RAF Croughton and will not increase the number of personnel based at the unit."

However South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom has secured a debate in parliament on what she describes as the "expansion" at the base.

The former conservative cabinet minister has backed the family's campaign to improve road safety around the base after a series of "near misses" involving drivers stationed at Croughton.

Scott Lucas is professor of international politics at the University of Birmingham. He says US intelligence has too much invested in Croughton for it to take much account of external considerations.

"When you have that much American money and power invested in a base it is going to be very difficult to pull back their plans," he said.

"This is one of the key positions not only for the US military, but for the US intelligence community, the electronic intelligence agency, the National Security Agency, the CIA, and other agencies connected with homeland security."

Professor Lucas said there were "lots" of US spies based at Croughton. "There are CIA officers there and I'm not breaking any official secrets here, in fact it has been acknowledged as a US intelligence base for years.

"That intelligence community is working with the military to act upon it, maybe for a drone strike, maybe to keep an eye on what the Russians are doing in Europe."

Mother-of-three Anne Sacoolas is now living with her family back in the United States and has never spoken publicly about the crash or the decision to flee.

In January the US turned down the UK request for extradition which the Home Office described as a "denial of justice".

https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...-spy-base-where-he-died-are-revealed-12024531
 
Harry Dunn death: US immunity rule used by Anne Sacoolas closed

The UK and the US have agreed to amend an "anomaly" that allowed Harry Dunn death suspect Anne Sacoolas to claim diplomatic immunity.

Mrs Sacoolas - the wife of a diplomat at RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire - was able to leave the UK thanks to the "secret agreement" .
She has been accused of killing the 19-year-old in a crash near the base.

Mr Dunn's mother said the change, which is not thought to be retrospective, was a "huge step in the right direction".

Charlotte Charles told the BBC: "We now need Dominic Raab to work with us to make sure that we get her back to the UK to face justice at some point soon."

The foreign secretary has said relatives of US staff at the air base can face prosecution under the amended rules where they may have previously been immune.

Mr Raab said the new arrangements had "closed the anomaly that led to the denial of justice in the heartbreaking case of Harry Dunn".

He said he appreciated the changes "won't bring Harry back" but hoped they may "bring some small measure of comfort" to his family.

Ms Charles vowed to continue the family's campaign to bring Mrs Sacoolas before a UK court.

"We always live with hope that one day she might just decide of her own accord to put herself on a plane and come back over here," she said.

"We definitely will keep the pressure up."

Ms Charles said she wanted Mrs Sacoolas to "see what her own country has agreed to with the anomaly they've now amended".

Northamptonshire Police said it understood the changes would not be retrospective but welcomed the move.

Downing Street said the change meant "in relation to the level of offence Anne Sacoolas is accused of, she could have been arrested by the police once they had obtained a warrant from the court".

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-53500449
 
Harry Dunn death: Family drop legal action against Northamptonshire Police

The parents of a young man whose death in a crash sparked an international diplomatic row have dropped their legal action against Northamptonshire Police.

Harry Dunn, 19, was fatally injured outside RAF Croughton in August.

His family began legal action against the force and the Foreign Office after US suspect Anne Sacoolas left the UK, citing diplomatic immunity.

After seeing documents disclosed in the case the family said the "police are absolved of any blame".

The information provided for the court proceedings showed the force "could have done no more last August and September to ensure that Mrs Sacoolas was brought to justice", said family spokesman Radd Seiger.

Police had been "kept in the dark" by the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) about uncertainty relating to Mrs Sacoolas' immunity status, he said.

Mr Seiger said: "Our case remains that the documents clearly show how the police investigation was effectively stopped in its tracks abruptly when the Foreign Office told the police shortly after Harry died that Mrs Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity."

Northamptonshire Police previously said it was "not informed" by the FCO of the arrangements that allowed Mrs Sacoolas to claim diplomatic immunity.

A two-day judicial review hearing at the High Court in November is scheduled, with Mr Dunn's parents, Tim Dunn and Charlotte Charles, claiming the foreign secretary "obstructed justice" by allowing Mrs Sacoolas to leave the UK.

Northamptonshire Police were brought into the legal claim in January.

The force will continue to be involved in the claim as an "interested party", said Mr Seiger.

In December last year, Mrs Sacoolas was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but an extradition request was rejected by the US.

Earlier this month the UK and US agreed to amend the "anomaly" which allowed Mrs Sacoolas to claim diplomatic immunity.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "This is an ongoing legal matter and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

The FCO has been approached for comment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-53543691
 
Harry Dunn death: Alleged killer Anne Sacoolas ‘willing to discuss virtual trial’ in UK

Harry Dunn’s alleged killer Anne Sacoolas is reportedly willing to discuss the possibility of a virtual trial in the UK.

Sources close to the 43-year-old told the Press Association (PA) that despite the attorney general’s office considering conducting a trial remotely, she had not yet been approached about the matter.

PA said it understood Mrs Sacoolas wished to speak with UK authorities to find a path forward.

Boris Johnson had said he would “support anything” that gets justice for the 19-year-old motorcyclist after he was asked about the prospect of a virtual trial.

Mr Dunn, 19, was hit outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August 2019 by Sacoolas, who had just left the American intelligence base where her husband worked.

But she later claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US.

Asked if he would support a virtual trial, the prime minister said: “There is the legal possibility that you mention.

“I think the best thing that I can say is, I will support anything that helps to bring justice for Harry Dunn and brings some sort of closure for his family because they have suffered for a long time.”

Mrs Sacoolas was charged with causing Mr Dunn’s death by dangerous driving in December, but the UK’s extradition request was rejected by the US.

Mr Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, welcomed Mr Johnson’s remarks.

“The last year has been a year in which we’ve really struggled, we wouldn’t wish anything we’ve been through on our worst enemy… it’s taken every ounce of energy we can muster to get through every hour of every day to this point,” she said.
https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...lling-to-discuss-virtual-trial-in-uk-12068013
 
The American woman accused of killing Harry Dunn has admitted driving on the wrong side of the road for "approximately 20 seconds" before colliding with the young motorcyclist.

A statement released by Anne Sacoolas's lawyers said she is "devastated" and "continues to grieve deeply" for Harry's family.

Ms Sacoolas was charged with causing the death of 19-year-old Harry by dangerous driving after a collision outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August last year.

The 43-year-old, who is married to an American intelligence worker, claimed diplomatic immunity shortly afterwards and was able to return to the US, sparking a campaign by Harry's parents to have her brought back to the UK to face justice.

The statement said she "did everything she could to assist Harry" after the collision.

It added: "Anne is devastated by this tragic accident and continues to grieve deeply for Harry's family.

"The mischaracterisations of what happened on that tragic day are harmful to all involved. Anne did everything she could to assist Harry."

Sacoolas and her family had only been in the UK for three weeks when the collision took place on 27 August, her lawyers said.

She had made a left turn and "instinctively" driven on the "wrong side of the road for approximately 20 seconds" before the fatal crash, they said, adding that she had been "otherwise driving cautiously and below the speed limit".

According to her lawyers, she could not see Mr Dunn due to "the crest of a small hill".

"After the accident, she ran from her car and tried to help him. Anne then saw another motorist approach and flagged her down for more support.

"The other motorist immediately called for the emergency services and Anne made calls to alert the police from the nearby air force base.

"The base police arrived quickly and assisted Harry. Tragically, it took over 40 minutes for the ambulance to arrive and nearly two hours passed before Harry was admitted to the hospital.

"Anne did not leave the scene until she was instructed to do so by the UK authorities."

US authorities asserted that Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity and, according to her lawyers, "determined that it would be difficult for her and her family to remain in the small Croughton community".

Her lawyers said she returned to the US on a commercial flight after the US Embassy "informed the Foreign Office of this decision and instructed Anne to return home".

Radd Seiger, spokesman for Harry's parents, said they had "noted" the statement.

He added: "Their position is that these issues should not be aired in any form other than a court of law.

"Once again, they invite her to do the right thing and return to the UK to answer to the charges laid against her."

Earlier this week, there were reports that Mrs Sacoolas was willing to consider taking part in a virtual trial in the UK.

On Thursday night, her lawyers said: "We have been and remain willing to discuss a resolution, including the possibility of virtual proceedings, with the UK authorities.

"Anne has never tried to avoid being held accountable for the tragic accident and she would like nothing more than to find a path forward and to provide the family some measure of peace."

Sacoolas had "fully cooperated with the investigation", the statement said, adding that she had met police at her home the day after the collision and had voluntarily been interviewed several weeks later.

https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...-seconds-before-hitting-motorcyclist-12068531
 
Harry Dunn's parents have lost their High Court battle against the Foreign Office over whether their son's alleged killer had diplomatic immunity.

Mr Dunn, 19, died when his motorbike was in a crash with a car near RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire, in 2019.

The suspect, Anne Sacoolas, later left for the United States citing diplomatic immunity.

Mr Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles said the High Court ruling was "just a blip along the way".

Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn's father Tim Dunn had lodged a legal challenge claiming Mrs Sacoolas should not have been granted immunity.

But Lord Justice Flaux and Mr Justice Saini concluded "that Mrs Sacoolas enjoyed immunity from UK criminal jurisdiction at the time of Harry's death".

Mrs Charles said: "The government and Mrs Sacoolas need to understand that this court ruling is just a blip along the way.

"I promised my boy I would get him justice and that is just what we are going to do. No-one is going to stand in our way."

She added: "It's obviously disappointing that this court did not find in our favour but we are more focused now than ever on fulfilling our promise."

The judges also rejected a claim by Mr Dunn's parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn that the Foreign Office had "usurped" Northamptonshire Police's investigation into their son's death.

Lord Justice Flaux and Mr Justice Saini found officials had "sought to assist rather than obstruct Northamptonshire Police in their investigation".
 
The suspect in the death of Harry Dunn would be willing to do community service and make a "contribution" in his memory, her lawyer has said.

Mr Dunn, 19, died in a crash near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in 2019.

Amy Jeffress, the lawyer for suspect Anne Sacoolas, who returned to the United States claiming diplomatic immunity, said such a crash would not be prosecuted criminally in the US.

Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, said she must face "the UK justice system."

Ms Jeffress added that her client "never denied that this was her fault".

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised Northamptonshire Police to charge Mrs Sacoolas with causing the teenager's death by dangerous driving, but an extradition request was rejected by the US government in January 2020.

Image captionAnne Sacoolas, pictured on her wedding day in 2003, cited diplomatic immunity after the crash and returned to the US
Speaking to Joshua Rozenberg, for BBC Radio 4's Law in Action , Ms Jeffress said they had been trying to resolve the case in a way that would not involve Mrs Sacoolas's return to the UK.

Ms Jeffress said: "We understand that community service is a typical sentence for offences like this.

"We have offered ever since over a year ago that she would be willing to serve that kind of a sentence and to make a contribution in Harry's memory, to take other steps to try to bring some peace to the family."

Ms Jeffress said Mrs Sacoolas had driven "instinctively" on the right-hand side of the road after leaving the US military base where her husband had a job covered by diplomatic immunity.

At the time of the crash on 27 August 2019, Mrs Sacoolas had only been in the UK "for a few weeks" and had made "a tragic mistake", she said.

"And she's never denied that this was her fault, that she caused this collision by driving on the wrong side of the road," said Ms Jeffress.

She claimed reports Mrs Sacoolas had not called for help were untrue, stating she flagged down a motorist who called the ambulance service while she notified police at the military base.

The lawyer said her client had co-operated fully with police, took a breathalyser test which produced a zero reading and surrendered her phone to show she had not been using it.

She remained at the scene until told by the police to leave and was subsequently interviewed by them for several hours, Ms Jeffress said.

The lawyer added: "One aspect of this that has not been reported is that this kind of an accident, had it occurred in the United States, would not be prosecuted criminally.

"In the United States, these cases are only prosecuted where there is evidence of recklessness that rises to the level of close to intent - drunk driving, distracted driving, a hit-and-run situation or excessive speeding.

"But there was none of that here."

She said she understood this was one of the reasons the US was not prepared to waive her client's immunity.

Mrs Charles said: "In this country we do not get to advise our Crown Prosecution Service as to what they hand down, we don't get to influence the judge and jury in anyway.

"She may want to community service and there is nothing we can do to influence that, she has to go through the UK justice system - which is one of the fairest in the world - they will decide.

"She just needs to come back and get it over and done with."

Image captionCharlotte Charles has previously said a ruling allowing a civil claim against his alleged killer to go ahead in the US will give her an "opportunity to hear some truths"

Ms Jeffress said Mrs Sacoolas "would very much like to move forward and resolve the case".

"She's willing to meet with the family to provide whatever information they are seeking; and we truly hope that we can do that and give the family some measure of peace.

"Anne is truly sorry for Harry's family and the pain that this has caused."

Mr Dunn's parents have launched a civil claim against Mrs Sacoolas and her husband Jonathan in the US state of Virginia, where they live.

The next stage would normally be for Mrs Sacoolas to give a formal deposition - answering questions put by the claimants' lawyer.

Ms Jeffress said she thought "it would much better for Anne to provide whatever information the family seeks in a less formal setting than a deposition where lawyers are involved and there are objections and so forth".

She added: "If the case does not settle, then depositions would be taken, and she would comply."

Ms Jeffress also denied suggestions that Interpol was seeking her client's arrest in the US under a so-called Red Notice.

"There is no Red Notice, and there never was a Red Notice and so Interpol will not be assisting in this matter."

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We believe the US' refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas amounts to a denial of justice and we continue to support the Dunn family to seek justice for Harry. The Foreign Secretary has raised the case with Secretary Blinken."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-northamptonshire-56326406?__twitter_impression=true
 
Harry Dunn's parents are set to hear face-to-face legal testimony later this year from the woman who allegedly killed their son.

Anne Sacoolas was leaving RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire, in a car in August 2019 when she was involved in a crash in which 19-year-old Harry, who was riding his motorbike, lost his life.

The 43-year-old, who is married to an American intelligence worker, was on the wrong side of the road and charged with dangerous driving but claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US with her family.

Mr Dunn's family have been fighting to get Mrs Sacoolas to return to the UK to face trial ever since.

Mrs Sacoolas, and her husband Jonathan, have now been told they will be "deposed" by 23 July - meaning they will give their account of events under oath in front of Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, and father, Tim Dunn.


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The deposition will form part of the "discovery" process in the Dunn family's civil claim, in which correspondence and documentation relevant to the case will be handed over ahead of a trial at the end of the year.


Reacting to the scheduling order, family spokesman Radd Seiger said: "This will hopefully allow them to process what happened to Harry as they seek to rebuild their shattered lives."

A judge in Virginia in early March had given Mr Dunn's family the go-ahead to proceed with a civil claim for damages against Mrs Sacoolas and her husband.

Also this month, Mrs Charles rejected Mrs Sacoolas's offer to undertake community service saying it's not up to her legal team to decide what penalty she faces.

Mrs Sacoolas's lawyer, Amy Jeffress, said her client had "never denied" responsibility for the road collision and would be willing to undertake community service in the US, make a "contribution" in Mr Dunn's memory and meet with his family.

But Mrs Charles told Sky News: "She needs to come back to the UK and go through the justice system. It's not up to us, or them, to decide what penalty, if anything should be handed down.

"She wants to find resolution; the only resolution is to face the UK justice system.

"She needs to move on with her life, we need to rebuild ours, but without her going through the UK justice system that can't be done."

Ms Jeffress said since the charge pending in Britain against Mrs Sacoolas would not usually result in a prison sentence in the US, her client was not inclined to return to the UK to face trial.

As a result, she said they were striving to resolve the case in a manner that would not involve a return to the UK.

An extradition request submitted by the Home Office was rejected by the US State Department in January last year.

https://news.sky.com/story/harry-du...om-sons-alleged-killer-anne-sacoolas-12254785
 
So an American can kill anyone in any part of the world and be able to get away with it if he returns back to the US?
 
The wife of a spy with diplomatic immunity will get away with 'mistakes', no matter how heinously expensive. The incident again highlighted the ineptitude and lack of diplomatic influence of the UK government.
 
Last Monetarist said:
The wife of a spy with diplomatic immunity will get away with 'mistakes', no matter how heinously expensive. The incident again highlighted the ineptitude and lack of diplomatic influence of the UK government.
Click to expand...

TBH Americans have diplomatic immunity everywhere. We have the case of Amanda Knoxx, Raymond Davis to prove it.
 
The US government has requested to keep Anne Sacoolas's job a secret in the Harry Dunn damages case due to "national security" concerns.

The 19-year-old's parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn travelled to the US last month to pursue a civil case against his alleged killer Mrs Sacoolas, as well as her husband Jonathan.

Harry died in August 2019 after being struck off his motorbike by Mrs Sacoolas, who was driving her car on the wrong side of the road near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

Harry Dunn's parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn are in the US for the civil case
She was granted diplomatic immunity and allowed to return to the US, despite being charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

An extradition request by the CPS was denied by the US State Department.

The current civil case is being heard by the Alexandria District Court in Virginia and is one of several lodged by the Dunn family in pursuit of justice for their son.

It has revealed unheard evidence about the Sacoolas couple's jobs and that their intelligence work was a "factor" in them leaving the UK.

On Friday, lawyers on behalf of the US government filed a proposed "protective order" ahead of Mrs Sacoolas giving her deposition in August.

It claimed that "information concerning the United States government has little to no relevance to an adjudication of any remaining issues in this case".

"In general terms, the United States seeks protection… because of the impact disclosure of information regarding the government in this litigation could reasonably be expected to have on national security," it said.

The order specifically refers to details "related to the defendants' or any other individuals' employment with the United States government".

Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said the order would be "resisted strenuously".

Mr Seiger says they were made aware of the development overnight and are seeking legal advice.

"It now appears that Mr and Mrs Sacoolas have brought in their employers, the US Government, to help them minimise what happened to Harry on the night he died in an attempt to prevent both the family and public at large from knowing the full truth," he said.

"The US government have asked the parents to consent to their application to court, who in turn have told them it will be resisted strenuously."

Ms Charles described the experience of giving testimony in the case this month as "heart-breaking" and "gruelling".

"You have to dig deep every single time we're asked to do something, every single time we put ourselves out there to keep striving towards getting justice for our boy," she told Sky News.

"The determination never wavers, the promise I made will never be forgotten, but it's very hard."

SKY
 
Harry Dunn's alleged killer Anne Sacoolas will no longer face a UK court hearing next week to allow "ongoing discussions" with the Crown Prosecution Service to continue.

The US citizen had been due to appear via video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat, is accused of causing Mr Dunn's death by dangerous driving after a fatal road crash outside the US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on 27 August 2019.

The 44-year-old had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US government and was able to leave the UK 19 days after the collision.
 
<b>Harry Dunn crash: Anne Sacoolas appears in court</b>

A US citizen has appeared in court to face a charge of causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn by dangerous driving.

Anne Sacoolas, 45, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink from the United States.

Mr Dunn, 19, died following a collision outside a US military base in Northamptonshire in August 2019.

She was granted unconditional bail and the case will next be heard at the Old Bailey on 27 October.

Mrs Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US administration following the collision near RAF Croughton and left the UK 19 days later.

The family of Harry Dunn, including his parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, and twin brother Niall, were at court for the appearance.

At the six-minute hearing, the defendant spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth as she followed proceedings next to her lawyer, Amy Jeffress.

The chief magistrate Paul Goldspring told Mrs Sacoolas she would be required to appear in person at the Old Bailey.

But he said that might change as there would be a joint application to allow Mrs Sacoolas to appear via videolink again.

The chief magistrate told the defendant the application would be decided by the judge at the crown court.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) made the decision to charge Mrs Sacoolas with the offence in December 2019.

This is the first time the case has been heard at a British court, following a diplomatic row between the two governments.

The Dunn family said they would not be commenting on the case until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-63076171
 
A US citizen has admitted responsibility for the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn in a case that caused a diplomatic row between the US and British governments.

Anne Sacoolas, 45, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey, via videolink, to causing his death by careless driving.

Mr Dunn, 19, died following a crash outside a US military base in Northamptonshire in August 2019.

His mother Charlotte Charles said she had now completed her promise to him.

Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Sacoolas, who was employed by a US intelligence agency, would be sentenced at the end of November.

"I direct that Mrs Sacoolas attends court in person to be sentenced," the judge added.

Sacoolas was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) accepted her guilty plea to the lesser charge.

Death by careless driving carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment but a community punishment or suspended jail sentence is often given.

Mrs Charles said the family "didn't wish to separate her from her children, it's not their fault".

She said: "Getting to court and getting to where we are now has been the most monumental thing for me because I can talk to [Harry] now and tell him we've done it, promise complete.

"I feel I can breathe easier. I don't have that guilt on my shoulders of not having done it yet."

His father Tim Dunn said: "Hopefully we've given hope to other families that they can do the same as us and get justice and believe and fight because it will happen in the end, it will happen."

The former head of extradition at the CPS, Nick Vamos, said Sacoolas appearing via videolink from the US was "a way of circumventing extradition".

He said it did "undermine the power of the court" and he hoped it would not set a precedent for other cases.

Coronavirus legislation permits even the most important court sessions to be held virtually.

Asked why the CPS decided to conduct the case remotely, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said: "We apply the law that is in force at the time that the hearing takes place."

The guilty plea brings a legal resolution to the Dunn family after a three-year wait for justice.

On 27 August 2019, Sacoolas turned out of RAF Croughton and drove 350 metres (1,148ft) on the wrong side of the road for over 20 seconds.

She hit Mr Dunn who was driving on his motorbike on the correct side of the road.

Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US administration following the accident. She left the UK 19 days later.

Mr Dunn's family travelled to the US in October 2019 to lobby President Trump.

The CPS made the decision to charge Sacoolas with causing death by dangerous driving in December 2019.

But an extradition request was rejected by the US government a month later, causing a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Following a period of transatlantic negotiations and a change in the law, it was agreed Saccolas could take part in the proceedings remotely from Washington.

BBC
 
Anne Sacoolas has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, for causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn by careless driving.

Sacoolas, 45, was driving her Volvo on the wrong side of the B4031 in Northamptonshire, a two-lane road with a 40mph limit, when she hit Harry, 19, who was riding in the opposite direction.

The former US spy was sentenced in an "unprecedented" case at the Old Bailey - but did not attend the hearing in person after American officials stepped in.

Sacoolas left the UK in August 2019, claiming diplomatic immunity following the collision outside US military base RAF Croughton.

It left the teenager's grieving parents facing a "torturous" three-year journey to seek justice for their son.

She pleaded guilty to causing Harry's death by careless driving, via a video link from Washington DC in October this year.

Alongside handing Sacoolas a suspended prison sentence, the judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, also ruled that she is disqualified from driving for 12 months.

She told the defendant, who appeared in court on Thursday via a video link from her lawyer's office in the US capital, that while she remained in America her sentence could not be enforced.

'Little reason' for Sacoolas not to attend court in person

Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb was critical of Sacoolas for not attending the sentencing hearing in person.

The court heard that she had been advised by American officials not to fly to the UK, as her return "could place significant US interests at risk".

But Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said there was "little reason" for Sacoolas not to attend, as she had been granted bail.

She also praised Harry's parents and family for their "dignified persistence", which she said had led Sacoolas to "acknowledge her guilt".

Delivering her sentence, the judge told Sacoolas: "You drove along the wrong side of the road for much more than a moment and you did not realise what you were doing when you came to a bend in the road.

"I bear in mind that this was a short period of driving and you were not familiar with English roads. The death of Harry Dunn is, of course, the highest degree of harm.

"Anyone who has caused death by driving would be expected to feel remorseful... and I accept that you feel genuine remorse."

In a statement from Sacoolas, read out by her lawyer in court, she said that the mother-of-three lived with "regret every single day".

She said: "There is not a day that goes by that Harry isn't on my mind, and I am deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused.

"It's for this reason that I have been so committed to a resolution to this case since 2019."

Her barrister, Ben Cooper KC, also told the court that Sacoolas had been subject to harassment and multiple death threats and had moved home several times.

'We've done it Harry'

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, gave an emotional speech in which she said that Sacoolas would have a "criminal record for the rest of her life".

Ms Charles, who said she had promised her son in hospital that she would get justice, added: "Yep, Harry, we've done it.

"We would have been happy with anything - for us, it was just about doing the right thing."

Family spokesman Radd Seiger added: "Our real enemy here isn't Anne Sacoolas, our real enemy here is the US government."

At the time of the collision, Sacoolas was driving two of her children home from a barbecue at the Croughton air base in Northamptonshire.

The court heard on Thursday that Harry was thrown over the car and lay in the road as he said "don't let me die", after the collision.

Sacoolas called her husband to the scene and was seen to be crying with her head in her hands, the Old Bailey heard.

She acknowledged she was driving on the wrong side of the road, with speed not a factor and a breath test for alcohol showing negative, the court was told.

'I made a promise to Harry'

In a victim impact statement, Ms Charles, sobbed as she described how her "world turned upside down".

"He was the light of my life before he was so senselessly and cruelly taken from us. Harry just disappeared out of my life that night, shattering my existence forever," she told the court.

She said Harry's twin, Niall, continues to be "hit very hard" by the tragedy, adding: "I didn't just lose one son the night Harry died. I lost Niall too."

Ms Charles added: "His passing haunts me every minute of every day and I'm not sure how I'm ever going to get over it.

"I made a promise to Harry in hospital that we would get him justice and a mother never breaks a promise to her son."

Ms Charles and Harry's father, Tim Dunn, said they were "horrified" that Sacoolas was instructed to attend the hearing remotely and accused the US of "actively interfering" in British justice.

They described their fight for the truth as "totally torturous", adding: "It's not an exhaustion that you can go to bed and sleep off."

Mr Dunn told Sky News: "I think if you ever really told our story to somebody who didn't know (it) they wouldn't believe some of the stuff we've had... from that awful night in the hospital."

But he added: "It's been worth all the heartache and the pain to prove that normal people from Northamptonshire can take on these people and get what should be done straightaway and get justice."

'I have nothing to say to her'

In October 2019, Harry's family were invited to attend the White House and meet the-then president Donald Trump - who secretly arranged for Sacoolas to meet them in the Oval Office.

But the parents had no idea about the meeting and refused to take part in a photo-call Mr Trump was hoping for.

Now they say they have no desire to speak to her.

Ms Charles said: "You never say never, but I don't think there's a chance at all of that. It's a bit too late. She's had three years."

Mr Dunn added: "I don't feel there's any need for me to meet her to be honest. I have nothing to say to her."

Speaking following the conclusion of the sentencing, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: "We have learnt important lessons from this tragic incident, including improvements to the process around exemptions from diplomatic immunity and ensuring the US takes steps to improve road safety around RAF Croughton."

SKY
 
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