Diplomatic immunity raised in call between Johnson and Trump
Boris Johnson raised the issue of a British teenager killed by the wife of a US diplomat during a call with President Donald Trump yesterday evening.
Harry Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car on 27 August and the suspect in the case, 42-yearold Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US intelligence officer, was granted diplomatic immunity following the crash.
The car 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.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Mr Trump and Mr Johnson spoke yesterday evening, mainly to discuss Turkey’s invasion of Syria.
They added: “The two leaders also discussed the tragic death of Harry Dunn. The Prime Minister urged the President to reconsider the US position so the individual involved can return to the UK, cooperate with police and allow Harry’s family to receive justice.
“The President said he was fully aware of the case and deeply saddened by what has happened, and he expressed his condolences to Harry’s parents. The leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible.”
The family at the centre of the row earlier said they are “angry and frustrated” following a meeting with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
Mrraabmetharry’smother, Charlotte Charles, and father, Tim Dunn, on Wednesday afternoon after having talks with US Ambassador Woody Johnson on Tuesday.
Giving a statement on behalf of the family, spokesman Radd Seiger said: “To say we are disappointed with the outcome would be an understatement. We are frustrated. We are angry.”
Speaking to reporters outsidetheforeignandcommonwealth Office following the meeting with Mr Raab, Mr Seiger added: “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity and that we’ve had that time with him.”
“We need some time to gather our thoughts and compose ourselves. We just need about an hour or so to gather our thoughts,” he said.
Mr Johnson, Mr Raab and Northamptonshire Police have asked the US to consider waiving the immunity.
US state department officials, in private and public exchanges, have expressed regret about Dunn’s death outside an RAF base used by the US air force but said it was global American policy not to issue immunity waivers in such cases. It has since emerged that Mrs Sacoolas was previously handed a fine for “failure to pay full time and attention” while driving in the state of Virginia in 2006.