Harry Dunn family lose bid to see ‘secret pact’ between US and UK
High Court says Foreign Office does not have to reveal details of immunity deal that let Anne Sacoolas flee
The parents of a UK teenager whose killer used diplomatic immunity to flee to the US have lost their battle to see a “secret agreement” between the two country’s governments.
Harry Dunn, 19, died last August after his motorbike collided with a car driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence officer based at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
In December, Sacoolas was charged in absentia with causing death by dangerous driving, but a subsequent extradition request was refused by the US.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Dunn’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, are now bringing a legal action against Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley, claiming they acted unlawfully in allowing Sacoolas to leave the UK.
But at an inital High Court hearing yesterday, the family were denied access to “additional documents relating to the agreement” about personnel at the RAF base, The Times says.
The pact that “the Dunns wanted disclosed was made between the UK and the US” 25 years ago and relates to “immunity for administrative and technical staff” , the Daily Mail reports.
Their barrister, Geoffrey Robertson QC, had told the court that the Foreign Office had “through its actions obstructed a criminal investigation, under pressure from the United States”.
Robertson argued that the case “turns on the interpretation of a secret agreement made in 1995 and updated in 2001 between the US and UK as a result of a US request to add up to 200 technical officers as diplomatic agents at RAF Croughton”.
When the deal was updated, British officials were “deeply concerned” about possible media interest “if crimes (in particular, road traffic-related crimes) were committed by agents and/ or their dependants”, he added.
Dunns’ parents claim that the Foreign Office “acted unlawfully by proceeding as if Anne Sacoolas conclusively had immunity and/or advising other state bodies that she did”.
Rejecting their request for the Foreign Office to disclose further evidence before a full hearing, Lord Justice Flaux said: “We do not consider that any of the documents sought is necessary for the fair and just determination of the issues in the case.”
The family’s case will be heard in October or November.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 5, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on police
Speed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
By The Week Staff Published
-
DJ Tim Westwood denies multiple sexual misconduct allegations
Speed Read At least seven women accuse the radio and TV presenter of predatory behaviour dating back three decades
By The Week Staff Published
-
What happened to Katie Kenyon?
Speed Read Man charged as police search for missing 33-year-old last seen getting into van
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Brooklyn subway shooting: exploring New York’s ‘steep decline in law and order’
Speed Read Last week, a gunman set off smoke bombs and opened fire on a rush-hour train in the city
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Dominic Raab’s ‘power of veto’ for dangerous criminals explained
In Depth Ministers want to be in charge of changing release dates of the most high-risk offenders
By The Week Staff Published
-
How the Capitol attack investigation is splitting the Republicans
Speed Read Vote to censure two Republican representatives has revealed deep divisions within party
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is sentencing a Nazi sympathiser to read Shakespeare an appropriate punishment?
Speed Read Judge seemed to think introducing student ‘to high culture’ would ‘magically make him a better person’ said The Daily Telegraph
By The Week Staff Published