US: Refusal To Extradite Harry Dunn Suspect Is 'Final'

The American State Department has reiterated its refusal to extradite the woman accused of causing Harry Dunn's death.

Harry, 19, died after his motorbike was involved in a crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, on 27 August 2019.

Lawyers acting on behalf of 43-year-old Anne Sacoolas said she had driven on the "wrong side of the road for 20 seconds" before the collision.

Ms Sacoolas, a US citizen, had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf after the incident and she was able to return to her home country.

She was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, but the US State Department declined a Home Office extradition request in January last year.

It is understood Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab raised the case with the new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone conversation on Wednesday.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price is the first member of President Joe Biden's administration to speak about the case. He insisted that Ms Sacoolas would not be extradited to the UK.

Mr Price did not say what other avenues were being explored to reach a resolution in the case.

He said: "We again offer our sincere condolences and sympathy to the Dunn family for the loss of their son. This was a tragic accident.

"Since the tragic accident occurred, the United States has been closely engaged with the UK Government and we have been transparent about our positions on legal and diplomatic matters concerning this accident."

"The United States government has declined the United Kingdom’s request for extradition of a US citizen involved in a tragic vehicle accident that occurred in the United Kingdom.

"Our decision in that regard was final."

The UK Foreign Office has described the extradition refusal as a "denial of justice".

Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, said she is still confident she will get justice for her son and reissued her plea to President Biden to look at the case personally.

"This statement from the State Department comes as no surprise," she said.

"It is a repeat of exactly what they have said before as their public position on the case.

"The bottom line is that this is not what diplomatic immunity is to be used for between two friendly countries and the State Department knows that.

"Our spokesperson Radd Seiger is having conversations with officials in Washington and London and remains absolutely confident that we will get justice for Harry.

"I maintain my direct appeal to President Biden and his new Secretary of State Tony Blinken to do the right thing. It is the only way forward."

In December, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told Harry Dunn's parents it will continue to pursue the prosecution of their son's alleged killer, despite the High Court ruling Ms Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity.

Cover image: Harry Dunn (Picture: Justice4Harry).