'MASSIVE STEP'
Harry Dunn’s parents break down with relief after Interpol issues global ‘red notice’ for arrest of Anne Sacoolas
HARRY Dunn's parents broke down with relief this morning after Interpol issued a global "red notice" for the arrest of Anne Sacoolas.
The American diplomat's wife has been accused of killing the British teen with her car last year before fleeing to the US.
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Harry's parents were overwhelmed with relief when they told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain about when they received the news.
Charlotte Charles talked about the moment she was told about the Interpol notice.
She also revealed how lockdown has been difficult for her and Harry's twin brother Niall - who hardly comes out of his room.
She said: "It was a very emotional afternoon yesterday as Tim said we didn't really expect it and certainly not to come out during this horrific pandemic that everyone is trying to get through as well.
"So it was very emotional. Many, many tears. A slight joyous moment I guess similar to when the CPS put the charge of death by dangerous driving in place on the Friday before Christmas.
"But the elation is always short-lived because we shouldn't have to be going through this. It should have never have happened. We shouldn't be in this situation."
Dad Tim Dunn said: "It's been a massive step for us as a family. It has been a real hard time.
"In lockdown you have more time to think and you reflect on stuff so it makes it harder.
"But this news is great news and I am sure this is going to be helping us down the road - it's got to be a good thing."
Piers called the ordeal a "disgrace" as he told the parents he wanted to see them get justice.
The elation is always short-lived because we shouldn't have to be going through this
Charlotte Charles
Charlotte said they had only just been able to get back into a routine when the coronavirus outbreak hit the UK and talked about the struggle of not being able to see physically see people for support.
Charlotte tearfully said: "You can't offload to anybody because you can't see them.
"You know it's brilliant, we have all these internet connections and everything now so you can virtually see them, but to not have those hugs and those cuddles that you really need at a time like this is really far, far more difficult than I thought it would ever be at the beginning."
She is currently in lockdown with Harry's stepfather Bruce Charles and son Niall.
She added: "The three of us are together all day everyday. When Niall comes out of his bedroom, which isn't very often - just to eat.
"We saw some smiles from him yesterday, which was wonderful, but he's struggling.
"He had only just got back to the point prior to Covid where he was actually starting to spend an hour maybe two hours a week with a friend or two and of course that's all been taken away as well."
Susanna explained that Sacoolas has been charged but would have to return to the UK in order to face criminal proceedings.
Charlotte replied: "We totally understand that, but we shouldn't have to be going through this. She should never have ever gone back to the US in the first place.
"But the one major thing I think for me that came out with this Interpol notice yesterday is that it encourages us and confirms to us that the UK authorities are finally on the same page as us because they cannot issue a red Interpol notice to anybody that was or is covered by diplomatic immunity.
"So that gives us confidence that finally after eight of the nine months of losing Harry and the fighting we have done you know the UK authorities are clearly on the same page as us to have taken the decision to put that red Interpol notice out."
'DENIAL OF JUSTICE'
A Red Notice is a request to global law enforcement organisation to locate a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
On its website, Interpol states it "is an international wanted persons notice, but it is not an arrest warrant".
Harry, 19, was killed on August 27, 2019 when his motorcycle crashed into an SUV driven by Sacoolas in Northamptonshire.
The 42-year-old mother of three left a US spy base at RAF Croughton and drove on the wrong side of the road when she hit the young motorcyclist.
Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and was able to return to the US and has since refused to return to the UK, sparking international outrage.
She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving last December.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in January that Sacoolas had to come back to the UK to face trial.
But an extradition request submitted by the Home Office was swiftly rejected by Pompeo.
Today, the US State Department reiterated that Pompeo's decision to refuse an extradition request for Harry alleged killer was final.
A spokeswoman said the State Department maintained the position that Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity from criminal jurisdiction.
Downing Street said today that Harry family would be denied justice if Sacoolas did not return to the UK.
Boris Johnson's spokesman said he "has been clear that he wants to see justice served for Harry and his family", and had raised the case with Donald Trump "on a number of occasions".
They said: "The US refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas amounts to a denial of justice and she should return to the UK."
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Labour's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said the decision by Interpol to issue a red notice highlights the "clear and repeated failings of the Foreign Office".
She added: "Labour is working on a cross-party basis to establish a parliamentary inquiry into how this was allowed to happen and we will continue to raise this with the United States authorities.
"The Foreign Secretary must now urgently come to the House to explain these failings, and set out how he will engage with his counterparts in the United States to resolve this situation and provide much-needed closure for Harry Dunn's family and loved ones."
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