The Cairns Post

Johnson seeking Trump’s ‘justice’

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BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson has put pressure on Donald Trump to extradite the wife of a diplomat who is accused of killing a teenager in a road accident.

In a tense phone call to the US President, Mr Johnson demanded: “Justice must be done,” according to The Sun.

Briton Harry Dunn, 19 (right), died on August 27 when his Kawasaki motorbike was hit by a car driving on the wrong side of the road near an air base in Northampto­nshire.

The air base is used by the US military as a communicat­ions hub.

Anna Sacoolas – the wife of US intelligen­ce officer Jonathan – admitted in October to being the driver but has cited immunity while refusing to return to Britain to face justice. The US is also refusing to send Mrs Sacoolas back.

She was last week charged with causing death by dangerous driving – a move called “disappoint­ing” and “unhelpful” by the Americans.

The rift threatens to sour relations between the leaders ahead of a possible visit by Mr Johnson to Washington DC next year.

And it reveals Mr Johnson is not afraid to stand up to Mr Trump, a charge levelled at him by Labour in this month’s election campaign.

According to The Sun, the confrontat­ion came when Mr Trump rang last Monday to congratula­te Mr Johnson on his win.

A source at No.10 said: “The PM pointed out to the President that it is important they ensure justice is done and the issue is sorted.”

The case of Mrs Sacoolas has stirred up debate over the limits of diplomatic immunity in cases unrelated to national security.

It has been a political headache for Mr Johnson, who is cultivatin­g trade relations with Washington in a bid to offset the potential damage of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.

Yesterday UK Home Secretary Priti Patel visited Mr Dunn’s father, Tim.

Family spokesman Radd Seiger said the family were “incredibly reassured” by Ms Patel’s vow that the law would be fully pursued.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister had not yet received a formal invitation to visit Mr Trump in the new year. Any major trips are unlikely until after Brexit on January 31.

Mrs Sacoolas’ lawyer said her client would not return voluntaril­y to Britain to face a potential jail sentence.

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