Harry Dunn death: Family of teenager get lawyers on board for civil proceedings in US as they speak of anger at Government

Katy Clifton10 October 2019

The family of a teenager killed in a fatal hit-and-run have got lawyers on board for civil proceedings against the wife of a US diplomat suspected of being involved in the crash.

The lawyer for 19-year-old Harry Dunn's family said they have engaged lawyers to take up the civil case against Anne Sacoolas, reportedly married to a US intelligence official, who was granted diplomatic immunity following the crash.

"Our position is that she doesn't have immunity and that waivers are always granted in these circumstances," Radd Seiger told reporters on Wednesday.

"Now we can disclose to you we have brought lawyers on board... We are going to Washington soon to help us get that justice for Harry."

Anne Sacoolas
Sky News

It comes as Mr Dunn's family said they felt "let down" by both the US and UK governments and described a meeting with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab as a "publicity stunt".

Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car on August 27.

Ms Sacoolas, who left the UK after the crash despite telling officers she did not plan to do so, is believed to have been driving on the wrong side of the road.

Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, Harry's mother Charlotte Charles said she felt "let down by both governments".

Charlotte Charles with her son, Harry Dunn, who died in a crash
PA

She added: "I can't really see the point we were invited to see Dominic Raab, we are no further forward than where we were this time last week.

"Part of me is feeling like it was just a publicity stunt on the UK Government side to show they are trying to help.

"But, although he is engaging with us, we have no answers. We are really frustrated that we could spend half an hour or more with him and just come out with nothing."

Asked by reporters if Mr Raab said he would "continue to pressure" the US, Mr Dunn's father Tim Dunn said: "I don't know if pressure is the right word.

"He said he would ask again, I don't want to say anything too horrible but I wasn't impressed today.

"I felt extremely let down by the Government today, or by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"I'm deeply, deeply disappointed that they think it's okay to kill a young lad on his bike and they can just walk away. I'm so disappointed with today."

Mr Dunn said he did not believe the Government had any "clout" in the situation, adding he did not think the Prime Minister's involvement would "do any good".

He added: "I don't think the Government or the Commonwealth Office have any clout to do anything.

"I don't think Boris will do any good either."

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