Liz Truss pledged to continue the fight to bring the alleged killer of Harry Dunn to justice in the UK after his parents reached a “resolution” in a civil claim for damages from the US diplomat responsible for his death.
The new Foreign Secretary said that the agreement was “absolutely not” the end of the fight to get Anne Sacoolas, his alleged killer, to return to the UK to face trial.
Asked in Washington during a visit to the US with Boris Johnson if the civil case’s resolution was the end of the case, she replied: “Absolutely not. We continue to press for justice for Harry.”
The details of the resolution are confidential, but Radd Seiger, the Dunn family’s spokesman, said it meant Harry’s parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn could put that part of their campaign behind them and now focus on the criminal case.
The Crown Prosecution Service has pledged to continue to pursue Ms Sacoolas to bring her to trial, despite a High Court ruling that the former spy has diplomatic immunity.
It is understood lawyers are pursuing options, including prosecuting her in absentia or a virtual trial where she remains in the US but is tried under UK law via video link for causing the death of Mr Dunn, 19, by her allegedly dangerous driving in August 2019.
Ms Sacoolas, 44, was able to leave the UK following the fatal road crash outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire after diplomatic immunity was asserted on her behalf by the US government.
She was due to give evidence under oath last month as part of the damages claim until a last-minute postponement.
Confirming a resolution had been reached in the damages claim, Mr Seiger told PA: “It has come as some considerable relief to them that a resolution to the civil claim has now been reached successfully between the parties and they can put this part of the campaign behind them.
“It is never easy mounting a legal battle for justice abroad, let alone in the USA, but the family’s courage and determination to see this through has been incredible.
“They have been supported throughout the claim by Dominic Raab [the former foreign secretary] and his excellent officials at the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office] and we are very grateful to them for all their help.
“We have been made aware that the US government made no secret of their displeasure at the British Government’s backing of Harry’s family in bringing the claim.”
The damages claim, brought against Sacoolas and her husband Jonathan, unearthed previously unheard material, such as the US State Department roles held by the couple at the time of the crash.
Alexandria District Court in the US state of Virginia heard the pair’s work in intelligence was a “factor” in their departure from the UK, as they left for “security reasons”.
Mr Seiger said: “The family feel they can now turn their attention to the criminal case and the long-awaited inquest into Harry’s death which will follow the criminal case. There will also need to be a parliamentary inquiry into this scandal in due course.
“Harry’s family will never be able to move on from his loss, but they are more determined than ever to continue to move forward. This is a pivotal point in the campaign; a real milestone. But there is much work left to be done before justice for Harry can be said to be done.”
‘The need to make progress on delivering justice’
Ms Truss discussed “the need to make progress on delivering justice for the 19-year-old’s family” with Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.
Ms Charles said: “I am so grateful that Liz Truss has raised Harry with Mr Blinken. It means the world to us to see that Harry remains at the top of the agenda.
“We continue to suffer and miss Harry every single day. We feel we are just existing at the moment and I would just ask the officials in both London and Washington to do all they can to help my family get justice for Harry as soon as possible please.”
Lawyers acting on behalf of Sacoolas have been approached for comment.