Shropshire Star

US officials refuse meeting with Harry Dunn’s family due to ‘lawsuit’

The deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy Yael Lempert wrote to Andrea Leadsom on April 30.

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The entrance to RAF Croughton

Senior US officials have refused to meet with the family of Harry Dunn due to their “intention” to sue the American Government.

Deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in London, Yael Lempert, wrote to the family’s MP Andrea Leadsom on April 30 after a request for a meeting about road safety surrounding RAF Croughton.

In the letter, seen by the PA news agency, Ms Lempert said officials had been advised that it would “not be appropriate” to meet with the family “given the strong interest of both countries to ensure proper judicial review”.

Harry Dunn death
Harry Dunn was killed in a road crash outside RAF Croughton in August last year (Family handout/PA)

She said she would however welcome the chance to meet the former business secretary with RAF Croughton’s base commander, Colonel Bridget McNamara, to “discuss the steps that have already been taken” to improve driver safety.

The spokesman for the family, Radd Seiger, told PA the US’s “latest snub sums up the whole American government approach” – adding “it’s their way or the highway”.

The Dunn family and Ms Leadsom attempted to arrange a meeting after three road incidents allegedly involving US staff from the base following 19-year-old Mr Dunn’s death.

In the letter, addressed to Ms Leadsom, Ms Lempert said: “Regrettably, at this time we are unable to meet with the Dunn family directly or discuss specifics of the case surrounding their son’s tragic death.

“The family’s spokesperson has publicly announced the family’s intention to make an imminent filing of a lawsuit against the United States Government.

“As such, and given the strong interest of both countries to ensure proper judicial review, we have been advised that it would not be appropriate to engage in a discussion which might touch on that matter.

Mcnamara
RAF Croughton’s base commander Colonel Bridget McNamara with the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police Nick Adderley (Northamptonshire Police/PA)

“I reiterate the US Government’s profound condolences to the Dunn family on the loss of their son, and our continuing commitment to making improvements for the benefit and well-being for all who live and work in the surrounding communities and beyond.”

Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside the base on August 27 last year.

His alleged killer, 42-year-old Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US intelligence official based at RAF Croughton, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy.

She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in December but an extradition request submitted by the Home Office was rejected by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in January.

PA understands the latest road incident, involving a black BMW which had veered off the road and smashed into a fence in the nearby village of Aynho on April 22, is being investigated by base leadership at RAF Croughton and Northamptonshire Police.

It is also understood the base believes the staff member concerned was not driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the incident.

In January, footage also emerged of a car with diplomatic plates driving on the wrong side of the road near the base.

Speaking on behalf of the family in response to the letter, Mr Seiger told PA: “Harry’s parents have now seen the letter from the US embassy to Ms Leadsom, refusing to meet or engage with them to discuss safety matters in and around the base following the loss of their son. That is all they wanted to do.

“They cling on to the hope that Harry’s death will not have been in vain and that some learning and good will come from his loss.

“This latest snub sums up the whole American government approach. It is their way or the highway.

“The reason that they have given for not meeting with the parents, that they are suing them, is completely specious.”

Mr Seiger continued: “They know well that the parents have approached them in good faith. Dialogue is always good even when you are in dispute with people.

“The American government operates bases in the UK in untouchable splendid isolation. That is the reality that we will change.

“They never mention and overlook the fact that hundreds of people have either been killed or seriously injured over the years at the hands of US personnel drivers and nothing has ever been done about it.

“For our part, we will simply carry on doing the right thing and working to improve road safety, for their benefit as well as ours. But they need to understand that the game is up.

“Harry’s loss is the game changer. This will never happen again so far as we are concerned and if it does they will have to deal with the consequences.”

Ms Lempert said she would welcome a meeting with Ms Leadsom and Col McNamara once social distancing restrictions had been lifted.

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