Source:
https://scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3031704/wife-us-diplomat-leaves-britain-after-becoming-suspect-road Europe
Wife of US diplomat leaves Britain after becoming a suspect in road accident
- Harry Dunn, 19, died after his motorbike and a car collided in Northamptonshire in August
- The suspect had initially told police she had ‘no plans to leave the country in the near future’
Harry Dunn, 19, died in a collision on August 27, 2019. Photo: Handout
The wife of a United States diplomat has left Britain after becoming a suspect in an investigation into the death of a motorcyclist involved in a road collision, police said.
Harry Dunn, 19, died after his motorbike and a car collided near RAF Croughton, a US Air Force communications station, in Northamptonshire on August 27.
Northamptonshire police said a 42-year-old US woman, who is being treated as a suspect in their investigation, had left Britain.
Superintendent Sarah Johnson said the suspect had previously told police she did not intend to leave the country “in the near future”.
“Northamptonshire police followed all of its usual procedures following the incident, including liaising closely with the suspect, who engaged fully with us at the time and had previously confirmed to us that she had no plans to leave the country in the near future,” Johnson said.
“[The] force is now exploring all opportunities through diplomatic channels to ensure that the investigation continues to progress,” Johnson said.
“Northamptonshire police is committed to ensuring justice for Harry, and specially-trained officers continue to support the Dunn family in their loss, including keeping them fully informed of all developments in the investigation,” she said.
British foreign secretary Dominic Raab said he had called the US ambassador to “express the UK’s disappointment” the suspect had left the country.
Police said they had applied for a waiver from diplomatic immunity to allow investigations and an interview.
“Unfortunately we were latterly advised that the waiver had been declined and the suspect had left the UK,” Northamptonshire Police Superintendent Sarah Johnson told Sky News television.
The US embassy in London said it offered its “deepest sympathies” to Dunn’s family following the accident “involving a vehicle driven by the spouse of a US diplomat assigned to the United Kingdom”.
“Any questions regarding a waiver of immunity with regard to our diplomats and their family members overseas in a case like this receive intense attention at senior levels,” a spokesman said. “The US embassy continues to be in close contact with the appropriate British officials.”
A fundraising page set up in honour of Dunn described him as a motorcycle enthusiast who “lived his short life to the fullest”. The crash had left his large family – including his parents, stepparents, twin brother and three other siblings – “devastated”.
“Harry’s loss has left an enormous hole in the lives of the family and they are understandably going through a shattering and life-changing time,” a statement on the Gofundme website said.
Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, said the family did not know “how we can start to grieve for him”.
“Everyone loved him, we’re utterly broken inside and out. Everything hurts day and night, it’s an effort to do anything. I ache from it, every limb, every internal organ hurts,” Charles told Sky News. “We have nothing. No justice. We have nothing to put our minds at rest that she’s even remorseful.”
Additional reporting by Reuters