Key events following the death of Harry Dunn one year ago
Published: 01:45, 27 August 2020
Updated: 11:00, 27 August 2020
One year on from his death, the family of Harry Dunn continue to fight for justice in a case which has sparked diplomatic tensions between Washington and London.
Here are the key events following the 19-year-old’s death:
2019
– August 27
Motorcyclist Harry Dunn collides with a Volvo outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
He is taken to the John Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford but is pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
– August 28
Northamptonshire Police interview 42-year-old suspect Anne Sacoolas in connection with the crash.
– August 30
A briefing note copied to the Foreign Secretary’s private office reveals the concern for the potential for “very unpalatable headlines”.
– September 13
A request to waive diplomatic immunity claimed by Ms Sacoolas is formally rejected by the US.
– September 14
A senior Foreign Office official sends a text message to their US counterpart saying: “I think that now the decision has been taken not to waive, there’s not much mileage in us asking you to keep the family here. It’s obviously not us approving of their departure but I think you should feel able to put them on the next flight out … ”
– September 15
Ms Sacoolas leaves the country on a United States Air Force plane, but the Dunn family are not informed of her departure until three weeks later.
Northamptonshire Police are also not told that she has left the UK.
– October 4
Harry’s parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn call on US President Donald Trump to intervene and waive immunity for Ms Sacoolas.
– October 5
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urges US Ambassador Woody Johnson to waive immunity for Ms Sacoolas.
– October 6
Police write to the US Embassy in London to demand immunity is waived.
– October 7
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the US should “reconsider its position” on the immunity given to Ms Sacoolas.
– October 9
Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn attend a meeting with the Foreign Secretary which leaves them “angry and frustrated” and feeling as though it was a “publicity stunt”.
Mr Johnson speaks to Mr Trump personally to ask him to reconsider the US’s position.
– October 12
Ms Sacoolas breaks her silence and issues a statement through her lawyer, saying the crash left her “devastated”.
– October 14
Mr Dunn’s family hold a press conference in New York after taking their fight for justice to the US.
– October 15
Mr Dunn’s family announce their intention to launch a judicial review into the advice given by the Foreign Office to Northamptonshire Police over the diplomatic immunity given to Ms Sacoolas.
The White House calls an “urgent” meeting with Mr Dunn’s family and they have talks with Mr Trump.
Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn refuse to meet Ms Sacoolas, who was in the room next door as they met Mr Trump.
– October 31
Northamptonshire Police confirm they had interviewed the suspect in the case in the US and were passing the file of evidence over to the CPS.
– December 20
The CPS charges Ms Sacoolas with causing death by dangerous driving.
2020
– January 10
The Home Office submit an extradition request for Ms Sacoolas.
– January 23
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally rejects the extradition request for Ms Sacoolas.
– January 24
The Home Office say the refusal of their extradition request amounts to a “denial of justice”.
The Foreign Secretary said the UK “would have acted differently if this had been a UK diplomat serving in the US”.
– May 11
The family receive an e-mail from Northamptonshire Police saying Ms Sacoolas is “wanted internationally” and reports of an Interpol Red Notice being issued for the suspect follow.
– May 12
The US State Department say the decision not to extradite Ms Sacoolas is “final” after Interpol Red Notice claims.
– May 20
Mr Dunn’s mother calls for Mr Raab’s resignation.
– May 28
The family announce their intention to bring a private prosecution against the Foreign Secretary, accusing him of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.
– June 18
The family are refused documents on the UK’s secret agreement with the US in their first High Court battle with the Foreign Office.
– July 22
Mr Raab announces the “anomaly” which allowed Ms Sacoolas to claim diplomatic immunity following the road crash that killed Mr Dunn has been amended.
– July 26
Harry Dunn’s parents drop their legal claim against Northamptonshire Police after concluding the force is “absolved of any blame”.
– August 25
The Lord Chancellor said Attorney General Suella Braverman was considering the possibility of trying Ms Sacoolas virtually or in her absence.
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