Upset over Boris Johnson's letters to Harry Dunn's family on eve of legal proceedings against Government

Boris Johnson's first letters to Harry Dunn's family have been met with only sadness and anger from the Northamptonshire campaigners.

The prime minister expressed his remorse for their loss and support for their campaign in the replies to letters from Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, and twin brother, Niall Dunn.

But the family dismissed the letters as they conveniently arrived two days before the first court hearing in their legal fight against the Government over its handling of the case.

Family spokesman Radd Seiger said the letters only upset Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn and accused Mr Johnson of not writing them himself.

"The simple reality is he didn't write those letters and he know they screwed up in London and he doesn't have the courage to sit across the table from us and be honest.

"Moreover these letters turning up when everyone is gearing up for this court hearing makes us think this is just a cynical attempt to win us over."

Harry, 19, died after his motorcycle was involved in a collision with Anne Sacoolas' car, 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 on September 15.

Sacoolas was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but an extradition request by the Home Office was rejected by the US government.

Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn wrote to Mr Johnson separately earlier this year urging him to come clean about what the British officials did and to ensure the suspect returns to the UK to face justice.

On Monday, they finally received replies from the prime minister saying the US State Department's non-co-operatation was a 'denial of justice' and he was taking a 'close interest' in their case.

Mr Johnson also says what happened to Harry must never happen again and details the changes at RAF Croughton in terms of driving tests and road safety.

"I know that none of this will bring your brother back, but I want to give you my personal commitment that the whole Government will continue to do its upmost to ensure no other family has to go through what you and your family have," the letter to Mr Dunn ends on.

However there is no mention of a meeting between the prime minister and the family, first raised by South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom and Home Secretary Priti Patel during their own meeting with the family in December, according to Mr Seiger.

They said they would arrange a sit-down with the PM in the new year - but that has never materialised despite multiple requests.

"Lots of people who go through tragedies don't get to meet the prime minister so we never expected it but they had just come back from the US where they met the president, Donald Trump, so it's not hard to imagine meeting the prime minister," Mr Seiger said.

The family is currently preparing for a case management committee at the Royal Courts of Justice tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) - the first court hearing in their bid for a judicial review into the Foreign Office and Northamptonshire Police over the diplomatic immunity scandal.