Harry Dunn’s alleged killer was working for American intelligence services at time of crash, US court hears

Harry Dunn death
Harry Dunn was killed in a car crash near RAF Croughton
PA

The parents of Harry Dunn have demanded an “urgent reinvestigation” into the diplomatic immunity status of their son’s alleged killer after it was revealed she was working for the US intelligence services.

Anne Sacoolas was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit 19-year-old Harry’s motorbike outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August 2019.

An attempt to extradite her to the UK to face a death by dangerous driving trial was thwarted by the US authorities, who insist she had diplomatic immunity at the time of the crash.

But Mrs Sacoolas’ own lawyer yesterday cast doubt on her status, telling a US court she was “employed by an intelligence agency in the US”.

Harry Dunn death
Charlotte Charles (mother), Bruce Charles (stepfather), Tim Dunn (father), Tracey Dunn (stepmother)
PA

It was previously believed Mrs Sacoolas was at the military base merely as the wife of her intelligence officer husband, Jonathan. US “administrative and technical staff” at RAF Croughton have their immunity pre-waived - meaning they could face criminal prosecution - but the waiver did not apply to spouses.

Reacting to the news Radd Seiger, representing Harry’s parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, called for the British government to reopen its investigation into the matter.

“Given the admission in open court by Mrs Sacoolas’ counsel that she was employed by US intelligence services at the time of the crash, the UK authorities must now urgently reinvestigate whether she had diplomatic immunity”, he said.

“They have to investigate given that employees had their immunity pre-waived under the 1995 RAF Croughton legal agreement.”

Harry Dunn death
Family advisor Radd Seiger (right) with Charlotte Charles
PA

Mrs Sacoolas flew back to the US in the wake of the fatal accident and has since admitted responsibility for the crash. But she has refused to voluntarily return to the UK and the extradition request was refused.

Former President Donald Trump and new White House incumbent Joe Biden have both insisted the decision to block extradition is “final”.

The new development came during a court hearing in Virginia into a civil damages claim brought by the Dunn family against Mrs Sacoolas.

Applying to dismiss the damages claim, Mrs Sacoolas’ barrister John McGavin said he could not “completely candidly” explain why the Sacoolas family left the UK, telling the court: “I know the answer, but I cannot disclose it.”

He said her employment “by an intelligence agency in the US” was “especially a factor” in the decision to leave the UK 18 days after the crash.

When asked why she had refused to return to the UK, Mr McGavin said: “Her fear is that with the tremendous media attention she will receive, she’s concerned she will not receive fair treatment with the press and the local community. She is fearful upon her return and concerned and she’s certainly apologetic and accepts full responsibility for causing this accident.”

Judge TS Ellis replied: “Accepting full responsibility doesn’t mean you run away, it means you stay there and face it. You shouldn’t overplay the full responsibility card.”

The Dunn family’s barrister in the US, Agnieszka Fryzsman, told the court the British Government had written a letter to the court to “endorse” their claim.

The US civil claim is due back in court on February 17.

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