Latest news with #AnneSacoolas
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Harry Dunn's family expecting a 'painful' government review
The spokesperson for the family of Harry Dunn has said he expects a government review into how the former Conservative government handled the case to be "painfully embarrassing".Mr Dunn, a 19-year-old motorcyclist, was hit by a car being driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in left the country after the incident, with the US State Department claiming she had diplomatic immunity from Monday, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed a review would be held to look into the handling of the case. The Conservatives, who were in government at the time, have been approached for comment. The review will be led by Dame Anne Owers, who will look at the actions of the FO between Mr Dunn's death on 27 August and the end of the pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in 2022 and was given an eight-month suspended jail 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. Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton's Annabel Amos, Radd Seiger said: "I think it will be painfully embarrassing for the then Tory government."We know the Foreign Office is a wonderful establishment that looks after British citizens all around the world, but what it isn't good at is helping people locally."I think [the review] is going to be a very revealing exercise. We want to do this constructively, we don't want to be destructive – we aren't asking for people to be held to account."We just want to make sure that if this ever happens again that the government puts its best foot forward and doesn't run away from the problem." Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who announced the review, said: "We are honouring the commitments we have made to [the Dunn family]."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." The FO said the review's final report would be published in full, subject only to redactions relating to national security or personal will look at the role of the FO but not the actions of the US announcement came just over a week after an independent report criticised Northamptonshire Police, which apologised for its handling of the investigation. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Foreign Office promise Dunn family publication of final review report
The Foreign Office have said the final report from a review into how the government handled the case of Harry Dunn will be published in full after his family raised concerns. Foreign Secretary David Lammy officially launched the independent review on Monday – saying it would 'ensure lessons are learned'. The Dunn family were heavily critical of the Foreign Office in 2019 after senior officials told the US government they should 'feel able' to put their son's killer Anne Sacoolas on the next flight home following a fatal road crash. The US state department asserted diplomatic immunity on behalf of Sacoolas – who left the UK 19 days after the incident outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August 2019. A parliamentary review, which will be led by Dame Anne Owers, will scrutinise the role of the Foreign Office in supporting the Dunn family following the crash, but will not look at the actions of the US government. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the report would be published in full, subject to redactions relating to national security or personal information. The findings will also be laid before Parliament alongside a written statement from Mr Lammy. Following the review's official launch, Dame Anne said: 'I believe it is crucially important that public authorities are ready to learn lessons from difficult and traumatic events, so they can reflect on and improve the way they work and communicate. 'This is something that I have been committed to in all the roles I have held. '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.' Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, alongside other family members, met with Mr Lammy on Wednesday following an invitation for him to 'hear the family's views and concerns'. She said: '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.' In his own statement, Mr Lammy said: '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. 'Having worked previously with Dame Anne Owers on the Lammy Review in 2017, I don't believe anyone is better qualified to undertake this important piece of work.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Review to look at handling of Harry Dunn case
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. 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." 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." 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. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Police 'should have arrested' fatal crash diplomat What happened in the Harry Dunn case? Coroner criticises US government in Harry Dunn case Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Review of handling of case of Northamptonshire teen Harry Dunn
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 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 left the country after the incident, with the US state department claiming she had diplomatic immunity from 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 UK government allowed her to leave the country after the incident and, in the family's view, gave inappropriate advice on the issue of 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." 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 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." 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 will look at the role of the FO, but not the actions of the US announcement came just over a week after an independent report criticised Northamptonshire Police, who apologised for their handling of the investigation. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Foreign Office promise Dunn family publication of final review report
The Foreign Office have said the final report from a review into how the government handled the case of Harry Dunn will be published in full after his family raised concerns. Foreign Secretary David Lammy officially launched the independent review on Monday – saying it would 'ensure lessons are learned'. The Dunn family were heavily critical of the Foreign Office in 2019 after senior officials told the US government they should 'feel able' to put their son's killer Anne Sacoolas on the next flight home following a fatal road crash. The US state department asserted diplomatic immunity on behalf of Sacoolas – who left the UK 19 days after the incident outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August 2019. A parliamentary review, which will be led by Dame Anne Owers, will scrutinise the role of the Foreign Office in supporting the Dunn family following the crash, but will not look at the actions of the US government. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the report would be published in full, subject to redactions relating to national security or personal information. The findings will also be laid before Parliament alongside a written statement from Mr Lammy. Following the review's official launch, Dame Anne said: 'I believe it is crucially important that public authorities are ready to learn lessons from difficult and traumatic events, so they can reflect on and improve the way they work and communicate. 'This is something that I have been committed to in all the roles I have held. '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.' Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles, alongside other family members, met with Mr Lammy on Wednesday following an invitation for him to 'hear the family's views and concerns'. She said: '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.' In his own statement, Mr Lammy said: '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. 'Having worked previously with Dame Anne Owers on the Lammy Review in 2017, I don't believe anyone is better qualified to undertake this important piece of work.'
