Diplomatic immunity 'anomaly' at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire amended following Harry Dunn tragedy

Charlotte Charles: A huge step forward as her family's pain will not be suffered by anyone else
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The 'anomaly' which allowed Harry Dunn's alleged killer to claim diplomatic immunity has been resolved, according to the foreign secretary.

The waiver for RAF Croughton staff used by the United States to stop Anne Sacoolas from facing the justice system has been amended, Dominic Raab told the House of Commons today (Wednesday, July 22).

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Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, said the development was a 'huge step forward' as it will ensure her family's pain will not be suffered by anyone else.

A Justice4Harry banner at the scene of his crash near CroughtonA Justice4Harry banner at the scene of his crash near Croughton
A Justice4Harry banner at the scene of his crash near Croughton

Tim Dunn, the 19-year-old Cobblers fan's father, tweeted: "This is great news. Should stop what happened to us happening to anybody else. But the US still won’t send her back."

Harry died after being involved in a crash with Sacoolas' car being driven on the wrong side of the road near Croughton on August 27, 2019.

The wife of an American official at RAF Croughton claimed immunity as a waiver of immunity for US staff outside the course of their duties did not explicitly include spouses.

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In December, Mr Raab told the House of Commons this 'anomaly' under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was being reviewed.

Harry Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, with the teenager's father, Tim DunnHarry Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, with the teenager's father, Tim Dunn
Harry Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, with the teenager's father, Tim Dunn

The foreign secretary said the waiver is now expressly extended to family members as well as all US embassy staff serving at the 'Croughton annex', as it is described, not just administrative and technical staff.

Furthermore, the revised arrangements contain a new waiver from inviolability, including complete protection from arrest and detention.

"I am therefore pleased to report to the House that we have secured the agreement of the US so that the Croughton arrangements could not in future be used in the same way as in the tragic case of Harry Dunn," he said in a written statement.

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Mr Raab 'welcomed the constructive engagement of our US allies in these discussions' - the American government rejected an extradition request for Sacoolas after she was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Photo: Getty ImagesForeign Secretary Dominic Raab. Photo: Getty Images
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Photo: Getty Images

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: "While we understand these changes will not be retrospective, Northamptonshire Police welcomes these changes.

"Northamptonshire Police remains committed to working with colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure Anne Sacoolas is returned from the US to allow criminal proceedings to go ahead here in the UK."

Mr Raab added the transport secretary has launched a safety review of roads around the 10 US 'visiting forces' bases in England following Harry's family's campaign.

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"We have the deepest sympathy for Harry Dunn’s family," he added.

Anne Sacoolas' husband Jonathan was based RAF Croughton when the crash happenedAnne Sacoolas' husband Jonathan was based RAF Croughton when the crash happened
Anne Sacoolas' husband Jonathan was based RAF Croughton when the crash happened

"No family should have to experience what they have gone through and I recognise that these changes will not bring Harry back.

"However, I hope that the knowledge that the Croughton arrangements have been revised and that a family in their position would now see justice done brings some small measure of comfort."

The announcement comes following Mr Raab and Prime Minister Boris Johnson's meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday (Tuesday).

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Harry's mother had called on the politicians to make getting justice for her son's death a top priority for the talks after 11 months of campaigning on both sides of the Atlantic.

A No. 10 statement about the meeting said: "The prime minister reiterated the need for justice to be done for Harry Dunn and his family.

"He said there was a strong feeling among the people of the UK that justice must be delivered."

Harry DunnHarry Dunn
Harry Dunn

Harry's family continue to argue Sacoolas never had diplomatic immunity in the first place through a judicial review - claiming it should not need to be explicit that spouses are included in the waiver.

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The hearing is scheduled for November after the High Court held an initial briefing last month.

A tweet from Justice4Harry said: "A huge step today. Never underestimate the power of people who fight for what's right, for change and for justice of a loved one taken too far too soon.

"#Justice4Harry #HarryDunn #AnneSacoolas will be back and we will keep the momentum of this campaign at full pace!