Harry Dunn family make formal complaint against Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable

Harry Dunn's family has made a formal complaint against the Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable for his 'defamatory' comments towards their spokesman.

Ch Cons Nick Adderley accused Radd Seiger of leaking sensitive information inaccurately to the media and has publicly attacked him several times, according to the complaint.

The issue, which also relates to public remarks made by the police chief, has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Mr Seiger said: “The way Harry’s family has been treated by public bodies has been nothing short of appalling. We hope that the IOPC will investigate this matter thoroughly.

"This is an allegation of professional misconduct on the part of the Chief Constable and only the most serious and sensitive of those are referred to the IOPC. Mr Mold has made this referral himself.

"Moving forwards, we hope all parties will join me in helping this family to get justice for their son.

“That should be their sole concern, as it has been mine from the outset.”

Ch Cons Adderley's comments relating to the Interpol Red Notice for Harry's alleged killer, Anne Sacoolas, were revealed in documents given to the family in subject access requests to the government.

On May 13, an internal Home Office message said: "I spoke to the Chief Constable. His view is that the issue is with the family's spokesperson, who would disclose any engagement to the media and may not do so accurately."

On the same day, Northamptonshire Police issued a press release insisting it did not inform Mr Seiger about the Red Notice.

Yet the day before, a memo from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "Regretted the email that had gone out to Harry Dunn's family's spokesperson.

"Northants Police maintain that it was not their intention to provide the information [about the Red Notice] to the family."

The family's complaint also refers to a press conference in October 2019 when Ch Cons Adderley urged Mr Seiger to 'exercise constrain in his commentary because it is not helpful'.

Ch Cons Adderley said: "Yesterday I was informed by the police, fire and crime commissioner, Stephen Mold, that he has referred a complaint made against me, by Radd Seiger, to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in relation to emails I sent to the Home Office last year.

"This is standard policy and procedure when a complaint is made against a Chief Constable and occurs frequently across the country.

"It is vital that all officers are held to account for their decisions, including Chief Constables.

"Thankfully in England and Wales we have a transparent investigations process to look into such complaints and allegations and I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss these with the relevant authority in due course."

An Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received and recorded a complaint against the Chief Constable from a member of the public and in line with the statutory guidance on such complaints, we have referred it to the IOPC.”