Harry Dunn: Family of killed teenager to launch legal action against the Foreign Office
24 October 2019, 17:11
The family of teenager Harry Dunn, who was killed in a road crash that involved the wife of a US diplomat, are preparing to launch legal action against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
They are seeking a judicial review in the hope that it will find the Foreign Office's advice to Northamptonshire Police over Anne Sacoolas' diplomatic immunity to be unlawful.
Northamptonshire Police are also facing legal action from the family over "deep concerns" about its investigation into the crash.
Speaking to Sky News, family spokesman Radd Seiger said the family would soon be issuing a "letter of claim," which precedes a judicial review.
He added: "We are absolutely clear that the Foreign Office's decision to advise Northamptonshire Police that Mrs Sacoolas had the benefit of diplomatic immunity was unlawful, and we will be seeking a judicial review of that decision to have it quashed."
Mr Seiger went on to say the family would also be referring Northamptonshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its investigation into the crash.
"Although [Northamptonshire Police] have not disclosed all the information this family are entitled to, we have deep concerns about the manner in which this investigation was conducting, and simply adding insult to injury with this family at their darkest hour," he said.
I am acting for the family of Harry Dunn, led by Geoffrey Robertson QC, instructed by @MarksLarks. For updates follow @raddseiger https://t.co/gsaENuZINj
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) October 24, 2019
Sacoolas, 43, is believed to have been involved in a road collision that killed 19-year-old Harry Dunn back in August — but she later claimed diplomatic immunity and fled home to the US as investigations got underway.
Harry's family have since been campaigning for Sacoolas to return to the UK to face justice, and have even traveled to the US themselves to meet with US President Donald Trump to gather support.
"It's absolutely clear that Mrs Sacoolas was involved in a very serious collision that ended in the loss of Harry's life," Mr Seiger continued.
"We are clear that she admitted her culpability, that she...committed and very serious crime that night.
"At the very least careless, causing death by careless driving and at the worst death by dangerous driving.
"She is a fugitive from this country and she is on the run.
"We appeal to her to come back to this country and face the music."
