Review to look at handling of Harry Dunn case

Harry Dunn, 19, died outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in 2019

The Foreign Office (FO) has announced an independent review into how the government handled the case of Harry Dunn, a motorcyclist killed outside a US military base in the UK.

Mr Dunn, 19, was hit by a car being driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in 2019.

She left the country after the incident, with the US state department claiming she had diplomatic immunity from prosecution.

The review will be led by Dame Anne Owers, who will examine actions taken by the FO in support of the 19-year-old's family between his death on 27 August and the end of December 2019.

Sacoolas pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in 2022 and was given an eight-month suspended jail term.

The UK government allowed her to leave the country after the incident and, in the family's view, gave inappropriate advice on the issue of immunity.

In 2020, the High Court found that Sacoolas did have "immunity from UK criminal jurisdiction at the time" of Mr Dunn's death.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "I have the deepest respect for the resolve Harry's family have shown since his tragic death and in launching this independent review, we are honouring the commitments we have made to them.

"I am confident the review into how the case was handled by the previous government has the remit required to properly address the family's concerns and to ensure lessons are learned."

Charlotte Charles, Mr Dunn's mother, and family spokesperson Radd Seiger visited the FO last in June

Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, described the review as "welcome".

The teenager's family has repeatedly criticised the way the case was dealt with by both the US and UK governments.

She said: "We now look forward to working with Dame Anne Owers and doing all we can to support her in this important task.

"It is our sincere hope that her work will help ensure that no other family is ever treated in the way that ours was.

"This review is yet another step in our long journey towards ensuring that Harry's loss was not in vain and that the world is a better and safer place."

Former Chief Inspector of Prisons Dame Anne Owers will lead the review

Dame Anne said: "I am pleased to have been asked by the Foreign Secretary to carry out this work in the context of the tragic death of Harry Dunn, and to identify any lessons for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

"I very much hope that this will provide some assurance to Harry's family."

The FO said the review's final report will be published in full, subject only to redactions relating to national security or personal information.

It will look at the role of the FO, but not the actions of the US government.

Monday's announcement came just over a week after an independent report criticised Northamptonshire Police, who apologised for their handling of the investigation.