Boris Johnson to 'personally' pressure Donald Trump as US woman wanted over UK crash death
2 min read
Boris Johnson says he will “personally” call on Donald Trump to send a US woman wanted over the killing of a teenager in a car crash back to the UK for investigation.
The Prime Minister will urge the American president to waive diplomatic immunity for Anne Sacoolas so she can be questioned by police over the death of Harry Dunn.
The 19-year-old Brit was fatally injured after his motorbike was in a head-on collision with a vehicle near to RAF Croughton, a military base used by the US Air Force in Northamptonshire, on 27 August.
It is believed to have been driven by Ms Sacoolas who left the country soon after. She has diplomatic status as her husband Jonathan works at the facility.
Nick Adderley, chief constable for Northamptonshire Police, said US authorities had been appealed to in "the strongest terms" to apply a waiver and "allow the justice process to take place".
And speaking on Monday Mr Johnson said: "I do not think that it can be right to use the process of diplomatic immunity for this type of purpose.
"I hope that Anne Sacoolas will come back and engage properly with the processes of law as they're carried out in this country.
"That's a point we are raising today with the American ambassador here in the UK.”
The PM added: "I hope it will be resolved very shortly.
“If we can't resolve it then of course I will be raising it myself personally with the White House."
It comes after Harry's mum, Charlotte Charles, called on Mr Johnson to use the UK's "special relationship" with the US to help them get justice for their son.
She told Sky News: "This supposed amazing relationship with the US needs to be used to its full potential and Boris Johnson we would really appreciate your help.
“Every bit of help possible to try to get her back.”
Mrs Charles said Ms Sacoolas had “left a family in complete ruin”, adding: “We're broken."
Asked about the case, the PM’s official spokesman told reporters: “The details of this case are extremely concerning and the Foreign Secretary has discussed it with the US ambassador.
“The justice process should be allowed to take place and we urge the US to reconsider their decision.
“The Prime Minister offers his condolences to the family. This was a tragic set of events, which no family should have to experience.”
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
