Harry Dunn: CPS Will Continue To Seek Prosecution Despite Immunity Ruling

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has told Harry Dunn’s parents it will continue to pursue the prosecution of their son’s alleged killer, despite the High Court ruling she had diplomatic immunity.

Mr Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike was involved in a collision with a car being driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, on 27 August last year.

The US government asserted diplomatic immunity on behalf of Ms Sacoolas following the incident and she was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy.

An extradition request submitted by the Home Office was rejected by the US State Department in January – a decision later described as "final".

However, Janine Smith, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East Midlands, wrote to Harry’s parents to say that she was “satisfied that there remains sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction”.

In Ms Smith’s letter to Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, she said the CPS is still focused on returning Mrs Sacoolas to the UK to stand trial.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to provide an update following our consideration of the recent High Court judgment," she said.

“Having considered the judgment, and notwithstanding the outcome in respect of diplomatic immunity, I am satisfied that there remains sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it remains in the public interest for the prosecution to continue.

“The CPS remains of the view that Mrs Sacoolas should return to the UK to stand trial.

“I do hope this confirmation is of some small comfort to Harry’s family and friends at this challenging time of the year.”

The family’s spokesman, Radd Seiger, said he believed the letter showed the “CPS remain of the view” that Mrs Sacoolas was not entitled to diplomatic immunity.

“This is an important letter from the Chief Crown Prosecutor," he said.

“It signals yet again that the CPS remain of the view, as do Harry’s parents on legal advice, that Anne Sacoolas did not have diplomatic immunity at the time of the crash and intend to proceed with their prosecution of her notwithstanding the judgment of the High Court.

“We have always been clear on that issue.

“We look forward to holding talks with both governments in the new year to bring the family’s torture to an end.”

Cover image: Justice4Harry.