The family of Harry Dunn, the motorcyclist killed in a crash outside a US military base in the UK, said an inquiry into how the Foreign Office (FO) handled the case would start within weeks. The 19-year-old's bike was hit by a car being driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in 2019. She left the country after the incident, with the US claiming she had diplomatic immunity from prosecution. Mr Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles has described the review as a "welcome step". The family hasrepeatedly criticisedthe way the case was dealt with by both the US and UK governments. Ms Charles said: "We hope this inquiry will be a genuine, independent search for truth, not just for our sake, but to ensure that no other family ever has to endure what we did. "No bereaved family should ever be treated the way we were." Sacoolas pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in 2022 and was handed an eight-month suspended jail term. The UK government allowed her to leave the country after the incident and, in the family's view, gave inappropriate advice on the issue of immunity. Ms Charles said the UK government at the time was rude, "brutal" and failed to engage with them. Members of the family said they met officials at the FO on Wednesday and were told an inquiry would be chaired by former chief inspector of prisons Dame Anne Owers. It is understood the review will not consider the involvement of the US government or any issues covered in previous court hearings. The announcement of the review comes just over a week after anindependent report criticised Northamptonshire Policefor their handling of the investigation. It said that, while Sacoolas was in a state of shock, she "could and should have been arrested" after the crash. Northamptonshire Police has apologised, saying it failed "to do the very best for the victim". The Foreign Office has so far declined to comment. Follow Northamptonshire news onBBC Sounds,Facebook,InstagramandX.
Foreign Office inquiry into Harry Dunn case 'within weeks', says family
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"Inquiry into Foreign Office's Handling of Harry Dunn Case to Begin Soon"
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TruthLens AI Summary
The family of Harry Dunn, a young motorcyclist tragically killed in a road accident in 2019, has announced that an inquiry into the Foreign Office's handling of his case will commence within weeks. Dunn was struck by a vehicle driven by Anne Sacoolas, who was on the wrong side of the road outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. Following the accident, Sacoolas left the UK claiming diplomatic immunity, a move that sparked outrage and disappointment from Dunn's family. Charlotte Charles, Dunn's mother, has expressed that the inquiry is a "welcome step" towards seeking justice and accountability. She emphasized the importance of the investigation not only for their family but also to prevent similar situations from affecting other bereaved families in the future. Charles criticized the UK government for its previous conduct, describing it as rude and unresponsive to their needs during a time of grief and distress.
In a significant development, the inquiry will be led by Dame Anne Owers, a former chief inspector of prisons. However, it will not delve into the actions of the US government or revisit matters that have been addressed in prior court proceedings. This announcement comes in the wake of an independent report that condemned Northamptonshire Police for their inadequate handling of the investigation, asserting that Sacoolas should have been arrested immediately following the incident. The police have since apologized for their shortcomings, acknowledging that they did not provide the best support for the victim's family. The Foreign Office has refrained from commenting on the inquiry, leaving the Dunn family hopeful that this review will bring about the clarity and justice they have long sought after the tragic loss of their son.
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