IMMUNITY ROW
Devastated parents of Brit teen killed in hit-and-run to meet foreign secretary after US diplomat’s wife claimed immunity
THE devastated parents of a Brit teen who died in a hit-and-run are to meet the foreign secretary after his suspected killer fled the UK.
Harry Dunn, 19, died when a motorist pulled out on the wrong side of the road and hit him head-on outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27.
The suspect - a US diplomat's wife - claimed diplomatic immunity and left the UK.
Northamptonshire Police confirmed the 42-year-old American suspect had "previously confirmed to us that she had no plans to leave the country in the near future" but had since fled the country.
And the teen's family has begged the woman to return after the apparent "attempt to evade justice".
Grieving mum Charlotte Charles said: "We are utterly devastated by Harry's loss. He was such a previous young man who was loved by all who knew him.
"Our lives have been shattered and our only crumb of comfort is the news that Harry was riding perfectly safely that night. He was not at fault in any way.
"However, with the terrible news that the other driver has left the country, seemingly in an attempt to evade justice, we are totally deprived of the ability to grieve and our lives are now painfully on hold.
"I bear the other driver no ill will. She must be suffering too given what she did, but she must return to the UK to face justice. It is only at that point that my family and I will be able to begin to put our lives back together and move forward from this needless tragedy.'"
And Harry's father Tim Dunn spoke out, saying the pain of losing Harry was "unbearable".
He added: "My son was taken from us at such a tender age doing what he loved doing the most in life.
"We call on the driver and the American authorities to have her come back to the UK to face the legal consequences of her dangerous driving that night.
"It is in no one's interests for her not to do so and would set a terrible precedent if she does not return."
APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
The devastated family also issued a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump to help them in their fight for justice.
In a statement to , they said: "President Trump, please listen. We’re a family in ruin. We’re broken.
"We can’t grieve. Please, please let her get back on a plane."
Mr Dunn was on a motorbike when he was involved in a horror crash outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27.
He was riding past the facility - used as a US spy base - when a motorist pulled out on the wrong side of the road and hit him head-on, police said.
reported that the alleged driver is the wife of a US diplomat who was later advised to leave the UK by the American Embassy.
She left claiming diplomatic immunity - which allows unhindered travel for Government envoys and their families.
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An attempt by Northamptonshire Police to stop her leaving was declined - and the US Embassy has confirmed she's no longer in the UK.
Harry suffered multiple injuries in the crash and later died in hospital.
The case has prompted a response from the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Last night, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "I wish to offer my condolences to the family affected by this tragic incident.
"I have called the US Ambassador to express the UK's disappointment with their decision and to urge the Embassy to re-consider it."
The unnamed suspect was reportedly advised by embassy officials to leave the UK - causing further pain to tragic Harry's family.
Paying tribute to Harry, mum Charlotte added: "Everyone loved him, we're utterly broken inside and out.
"Everything hurts day and night, it's an effort to do anything, I ache from it, every limb, every internal organ hurts.
"We don't know how we can start to grieve for him.
"We have nothing. No justice.
"We have nothing to put our minds at rest that she's even remorseful."
FAMILY'S DISGUST
Harry's father, Tim Dunn, said: "We're disgusted, appalled, how she could be having this cloak wrapped around her.
"I'm angry that someone could do this and then get on a plane and go. I can't believe she's living with herself."
The family received a letter expressing "profound sadness" from the US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson.
But efforts to contact the American suspect have been met with silence.
I have called the US Ambassador to express the UK's disappointment with their decision and to urge the Embassy to re-consider it
Dominic Raab
Superintendent Sarah Johnson, Head of Operations for Northamptonshire Police, confirmed the 42-year-old American suspect had left the country.
She said: "Northamptonshire Police followed all of its usual procedures following the incident, including liaising closely with the suspect, who engaged fully with us at the time and had previously confirmed to us that she had no plans to leave the country in the near future.
"Due process was also followed in seeking the necessary documentation to allow for the arrest and formal interview of the suspect, and the Force is now exploring all opportunities through diplomatic channels to ensure that the investigation continues to progress.
"We are also working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in an effort to come to a resolution regarding this matter. “Harry Dunn’s family deserve justice and in order to achieve this, a full and thorough investigation, with the assistance of all parties involved, needs to take place.
"Northamptonshire Police is committed to ensuring justice for Harry and specially trained officers continue to support the Dunn family in their loss, including keeping them fully informed of all developments in the investigation."
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In a statement, the US Embassy in London said: "We express our deepest sympathies and offer condolences to the family of the deceased in the tragic August 27 traffic accident involving a vehicle driven by the spouse of a US diplomat assigned to the United Kingdom.
"Embassy officials are in close contact with the appropriate British officials on this matter.
"Due to security and privacy considerations, we cannot confirm the identity of the individuals involved, but we can confirm the family has left the UK".
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