Dunn relatives withdraw bid to sue US in hope of ‘resolution’

THE family of Harry Dunn have withdrawn their intention to sue the US government in an effort to find a “resolution to the impasse”.

Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, Mr Dunn’s parents, previously said they would pursue a claim against Donald Trump’s administration for its handling of their son’s case.

But Mrs Charles said the family “can now see that the US government are working towards” suspect Anne Sacoolas facing the UK justice system.

The US State Department recently said it was looking for a “reasonable resolution” after it emerged that Suella Braverman QC, the UK Attorney General, was considering a virtual trial or a trial in Ms Sacoolas’s absence.

The Dunn family said they hoped their decision would encourage US officials to meet with the family and discuss a way forward.

Mr Dunn, 19, died when his motorbike was in collision with a car outside RAF Croughton, Northants, on Aug 27 last year. Ms Sacoolas, 43, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy.

She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but an extradition request was rejected by Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State.

Mrs Charles said: “We are going through a living nightmare and we need closure. We will only get that when Mrs Sacoolas faces our justice system.”

The Dunn family have said they will continue to pursue a civil claim against Anne Sacoolas in the US.