Boris Johnson called the US “absolutely ruthless” in its safeguarding of Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat, from facing investigation over her suspected involvement in a car crash which killed
British teenager Harry Dunn.
The prime minister said: “In my experience, America is very, very reluctant to allow its nationals to be tried overseas, and is absolutely ruthless in enforcing the code of diplomatic immunity.
“I must say, I don’t think it was appropriate for that provision to be used in this case.
“I made that point to the president, and he is sympathetic.
“I think we’ve just got to keep working on that and see what we can do to get justice for Harry Dunn and his family.”
The 19-year-old died when his motorbike crashed into a car outside an RAF base on August 27.
Sacoolas has been granted diplomatic immunity, and a photograph of notes recently held by US President
Donald Trump state: “(If raised) Note, as Secretary Pompeo told Foreign Secretary Raab, that the spouse of the US government employee will not return to the United Kingdom.”#trumpnotes@realDonaldTrump (If Raised) Note, as @SecPompeo told Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab that the spouse of the U.S. Government employee will not return to the United Kingdom. @SkyNewspic.twitter.com/7yDUdOm3Pd— Jabin Botsford (@jabinbotsford) October 9, 2019Since the photograph has surfaced, Dunn’s mother Charlotte Charles has blasted the president, suggesting his approach to the case has been “beyond any realm of human thinking”.
The suspect, 42-year-old Sacoolas, reportedly married to a US intelligence official, was granted diplomatic immunity following the crash.
The car which crashed into Dunn was thought to have been driving on the wrong side of the road after leaving RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, a military base used by the US Air Force.
The teenager’s family met with the foreign secretary on Wednesday but said they left the meeting feeling “angry” and “disappointed”, with Charles later saying it seemed like a “publicity stunt” and that they felt “patronised” by Dominic Raab.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Trump said wrong-way driving “happens” after being asked by Johnson to consider lifting the immunity granted to Sacoolas. Related... Donald Trump Defends US Diplomat's Wife Over Death Of British Teenager Harry Dunn Photo Of Donald Trump's 'Secret' Notes Reveal US's Stance On Diplomatic Immunity Road Crash Row Harry Dunn's Family 'Angry And Frustrated' After Meeting With Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab
Boris Johnson Urges Anne Sacoolas, Wife Of US Diplomat, To Return To
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