Harry Dunn family plan to privately prosecute foreign secretary for 'misleading parliament and misconduct'

Harry Dunn's family intends to bring a private criminal prosecution against the foreign secretary over his handling of the case.

The Northamptonshire campaigners argue Dominic Raab should not have allowed Anne Sacoolas, the American woman accused of killing the teenager, to leave the UK and misled parliament.

The Foreign Office insists the senior Conservative minister acted properly and lawfully but the bereaved parents believe he committed misconduct in a public office and perverted the course of justice.

The family’s spokesman Radd Seiger told Sky News: “There’s a very clear rule that it’s for the police to establish who has immunity.

“That rule was broken and we allege it constitutes a serious instance of misconduct in a public office.

“That effectively stopped their investigation and we say that amounts to perverting the course of justice - two potentially serious crimes.”

Harry,19, died after his motorcycle was involved in a collision with Sacoolas' Volvo, which she has admitted was on the wrong side of the road, near Croughton on August 27, 2019.

The American driver initially co-operated with police but then told officers she had diplomatic immunity before flying back to the United States a few weeks later.

In October, Mr Raab told the House of Commons the Foreign Office was informed by the US Embassy that they would not waive immunity and Sacoolas would be leaving the country imminently, unless the UK had strong objections on September 13.

"We duly and immediately objected in clear and strong terms and have done since," he added.

But a senior civil servant texted his US counterpart on September 14, saying there was 'not much mileage' in the UK asking for Sacoolas to stay and she could be put 'on the next flight out'.

Harry's family claims this contradicts Mr Raab's statement to parliament that they objected to the American driver departing.

Furthermore, he told them in private meetings that he had found out about Harry on September 5, but has since claimed he only became aware of the case on September 12.

Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, told The Guardian: “How could Dominic Raab have told parliament that he and the Foreign Office objected in clear and strong terms, when the Foreign Office told the embassy it was fine and dandy to put them on the next plane?

"He misled parliament and he lied to us. He must resign or be sacked by Boris Johnson.

"He is lying over what he knew about the death of our boy to cover his back, and that is too upsetting to put into words."

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We have the deepest sympathy for Harry’s family. No family should have to experience what they have gone through.

"The case remains of the highest priority for the foreign secretary, who continues to raise it with the US government, including earlier this month.

“Both the foreign secretary and the prime minister have been clear with the US that the refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas amounts to a denial of justice, and that she should return to the UK.

"The foreign secretary remains ready to meet Harry’s family and to support them to get the justice they deserve.”