South Northamptonshire MP asks ministers and CPS to consider virtual trial for Harry Dunn 'killer'

The South Northamptonshire MP has asked ministers and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider a virtual trial for Harry Dunn's alleged killer.

Andrea Leadsom has suggested Anne Sacoolas could face her charge of causing death by dangerous driving over the fatal crash in Northamptonshire last year in a British court virtually or in her absence.

The Conservative MP told the home secretary, the foreign secretary, the attorney general, the Lord Chancellor and the solicitor general that the American driver, who remains in the United States having claimed diplomatic immunity, could serve her sentence, if found guilty, there.

"It must be clear to all that the claim of immunity was the wrong thing to do and that a virtual trial is a way to achieve closure for Harry's family without undermining the US decision not to accept the extradition request," she wrote.

Harry, 19, died in hospital after his motorcycle was involved in a crash with a car being driven by Sacoolas on the wrong side of the road near Croughton on August 27, 2019.

The American woman used a legal loophole, which has now been amended, to claim immunity through her husband, who was working at RAF Croughton for the US government, and leave the country.

She was charged by the CPS in December but the US State Department rejected an extradition request as she is covered by diplomatic immunity, a decision the secretary of state said was final.

The teenager's family, who have been campaigning internationally for Sacoolas to return, support the virtual trial proposal and welcome Mrs Leadsom's intervention.

Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, said: "For me and my family, it is all about doing the right thing and ensuring justice is done.

"I did not make it to hospital in time to comfort Harry. He died just before I got there.

"I did make a promise to him that we would get him justice and that is just what we will do. I have every confidence that the authorities will make sure it happens."

It is understood the virtual trial would require an agreement with the US government and Sacoolas but no indication has been made so far by either parties.

The family's spokesman, Radd Seiger, said the idea would be unprecedented in the British legal system but it is not up to them to decide how Sacoolas is tried.

"This is not about vengeance or retribution. It is about doing the right thing and justice," he said.

"Given that Mrs Sacoolas would be able to serve any sentence in the US in any event, this looks like it would be a pragmatic way to ensure that justice is done.

"Let's wait and see if this is a viable way forward."

The attorney general’s office confirmed the letter had been received but declined to comment further.