Politics

Harry Dunn family blast Boris Johnson as US blocks suspected killer's extradition


Harry Dunn’s family today blasted Boris Johnson after the US blocked the extradition of a woman charged with killing him by dangerous driving.

Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger accused the Prime Minister of failing to act and demanded a meeting after the blow from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

19-year-old motorcyclist Harry died last August after he was involved in a collision with American diplomat’s wife Sacoolas, 42.

The mum-of-three was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road near the US intel base RAF Croughton, Northants.

She fled Britain claiming diplomatic immunity but became the subject of extradition proceedings on a death by dangerous driving charge.

Earlier this month the Home Secretary confirmed that the government had made an extradition request.

But the US State Department described it as “highly inappropriate” and Sacoolas’s legal team indicated she is not willing to return.

American diplomat’s wife Sacoolas, 42, left Britain claiming diplomatic immunity

The Home Office today said the decision “appears to be a denial of justice” adding: “We are urgently considering our options.”

Asked if Boris Johnson had done enough, the Dunn family’s spokesman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Well I have to say at the moment not.

“We did not welcome his public comments last week.

“He is the leader of the gang. He aspired to be Prime Minister. history was made last night when the Americans decided not to return.. that’s the first time in history the United States has turned down an extradition request.

“It’s one of the darkest days in the history of this special relationship.

“Boris Johnson wanted to be Prime Minister. He is now being tested severely.

“I expect him today to rise to that challenge and come and meet with me and the family and tell us what he’s going to do about it.”

Harry Dunn’s mother Charlotte Charles and father Tim Dunn with family spokesman Radd Seiger (centre)

Constituency MP Andrea Leadsom was due to meet the US ambassador Woody Johnson this morning to discuss the case as the family warned “the fight goes on” for justice for their son.

Ms Sacoolas was twice interviewed by Northamptonshire Police – once on the day after the crash, and on another occasion by officers who travelled to the US.

Extradition between the US and the UK is governed by a treaty signed by both countries in 2003, and requests prepared by the CPS are sent by the Home Office to the requested state.

But Boris Johnson previously admitted the chance of the suspect ever returning to the UK was very low.

In a statement, the US State Department said that at the time of the accident, and for the duration of her stay in the UK, the US citizen driver in this case had immunity from criminal jurisdiction.

A spokesman said if the US was to grant the UK’s extradition request, it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent

The decision was blocked by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

But the Dunn family spokesman said Donald Trump’s White House was “taking a wrecking ball” to the special relationship.

“We know what’s gone on here. President Trump decided right at the beginning he was going to rescue this lady, not send her back,” he said.

“But I can assure your listeners this morning that despite the development last night, we know for sure she will be coming back one day. There is no other way forward.”

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He added: “The reality is that this administration, which we say is behaving lawlessly and taking a wrecking ball to one of the greatest alliances in the world, won’t be around forever.

“Whereas that extradition request will be.

“We will simply plan for a reasonable administration to come in one day and to reverse this decision.”

He added: “The American position now is that it’s okay for their service personnel to come over to the UK, kill British citizens and get on the next plane back home.”





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