Review into death of teenager Harry Dunn, killed by US driver, launched by government
Harry Dunn was 19 when he died after his motorbike collided with a car travelling on the wrong side of the road outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
Anne Sacoolas, the American driver who killed Mr Dunn, had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf following the crash, before a senior Foreign Office official said the US government should 'feel able' to put her on the next flight home.
Mr Dunn's parents campaigned for 3 years to get Anne Sacoolas convicted after she left the UK.
Sacoolas eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving via video link at the Old Bailey in December 2022, and she later received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Since then, Mr Dunn's family have been calling for an independent review into his case, which was granted by Foreign Secretary David Lammy on 7 July.
The review, led by Dame Anne Owers, will focus on government actions in the months following the tragedy in 2019, and look at support offered to other families in comparable situations.
The review is not set to scrutinise the role or actions of the US government.
Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, said she welcomes the news of the review and that she looks forward to working with Dame Anne Owers.
Ms Charles added: "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."
Having promised to undertake a review while sitting as an opposition MP, David Lammy has met twice with Mr Dunn's family members since becoming Foreign Secretary and committed the government to learning lessons from the tragedy.
The foreign secretary 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."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
26 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Ministers in talks with City over climate finance for disaster-hit nations
The Foreign Secretary has pledged £12 million from the Government's tightened aid budget in a bid to enable faster payouts for nations experiencing climate shocks like hurricanes and tornadoes. Mr Lammy will join the Chancellor, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed for the first meeting between multiple Cabinet ministers and finance leaders on Tuesday. The group is expected to discuss how the sector can play a part in channelling investment into climate initiatives in emerging markets. The Government hopes the £12 million for pre-arranged finance for disaster relief and risk insurance will cut the cost of responding to extreme weather events, and the time it takes for countries to recover from such shocks. This funding is triggered by certain warning signs — such as a forecast or weather event itself — to enable faster payouts, the Foreign Office said. It comes after the Government slashed the UK's overseas aid budget from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% in order to pay for increased defence spending. The UK's climate finance commitments come from its aid budget. The Foreign Secretary said: 'The climate and nature crisis is the greatest global challenge we face. Failure to act will cause unprecedented environmental damage, fuelling displacement, conflict and famine. 'Tackling this crisis is also a huge opportunity for people and businesses here in the UK, delivering on our Plan for Change. The green sector is worth trillions of pounds, and I'm determined that we seize on the economic growth, jobs and security it offers. 'The City of London, the world's leading sustainable development financing hub, has a crucial role to play in this.'
North Wales Chronicle
33 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ministers in talks with City over climate finance for disaster-hit nations
The Foreign Secretary has pledged £12 million from the Government's tightened aid budget in a bid to enable faster payouts for nations experiencing climate shocks like hurricanes and tornadoes. Mr Lammy will join the Chancellor, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed for the first meeting between multiple Cabinet ministers and finance leaders on Tuesday. The group is expected to discuss how the sector can play a part in channelling investment into climate initiatives in emerging markets. The Government hopes the £12 million for pre-arranged finance for disaster relief and risk insurance will cut the cost of responding to extreme weather events, and the time it takes for countries to recover from such shocks. This funding is triggered by certain warning signs — such as a forecast or weather event itself — to enable faster payouts, the Foreign Office said. It comes after the Government slashed the UK's overseas aid budget from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% in order to pay for increased defence spending. The UK's climate finance commitments come from its aid budget. The Foreign Secretary said: 'The climate and nature crisis is the greatest global challenge we face. Failure to act will cause unprecedented environmental damage, fuelling displacement, conflict and famine. 'Tackling this crisis is also a huge opportunity for people and businesses here in the UK, delivering on our Plan for Change. The green sector is worth trillions of pounds, and I'm determined that we seize on the economic growth, jobs and security it offers. 'The City of London, the world's leading sustainable development financing hub, has a crucial role to play in this.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ministers in talks with City over climate finance for disaster-hit nations
The Foreign Secretary has pledged £12 million from the Government's tightened aid budget in a bid to enable faster payouts for nations experiencing climate shocks like hurricanes and tornadoes. Mr Lammy will join the Chancellor, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed for the first meeting between multiple Cabinet ministers and finance leaders on Tuesday. The group is expected to discuss how the sector can play a part in channelling investment into climate initiatives in emerging markets. The Government hopes the £12 million for pre-arranged finance for disaster relief and risk insurance will cut the cost of responding to extreme weather events, and the time it takes for countries to recover from such shocks. This funding is triggered by certain warning signs — such as a forecast or weather event itself — to enable faster payouts, the Foreign Office said. It comes after the Government slashed the UK's overseas aid budget from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% in order to pay for increased defence spending. The UK's climate finance commitments come from its aid budget. The Foreign Secretary said: 'The climate and nature crisis is the greatest global challenge we face. Failure to act will cause unprecedented environmental damage, fuelling displacement, conflict and famine. 'Tackling this crisis is also a huge opportunity for people and businesses here in the UK, delivering on our Plan for Change. The green sector is worth trillions of pounds, and I'm determined that we seize on the economic growth, jobs and security it offers. 'The City of London, the world's leading sustainable development financing hub, has a crucial role to play in this.'
