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Removal of US Embassy staffer from UK 'unforgivable'

Rachael McMenemy
News imageEmma Baugh/BBC Charlotte Charles sits on a black sofa. She is wearing a black T-shirt and her blonde hair is up. Emma Baugh/BBC
Charlotte Charles has criticised the US, saying the case has "all the hallmarks" of her son's case

The removal from the UK of a US embassy staffer accused of possessing indecent images is "unforgivable", says the mother of Harry Dunn.

The staff member was flown out of the UK without being questioned by British police.

Charlotte Charles, whose son was killed by US citizen Anne Sacoolas in a road crash outside a Northamptonshire airbase, said the situation had "all the hallmarks" of Harry's case. Sacoolas left the UK after diplomatic immunity was asserted on her behalf.

The US Embassy said inquiries were ongoing in conjunction with UK authorities. A UK government spokesperson declined to comment, citing the ongoing US investigation, but said Britain expected foreign diplomats to obey the law.

It is understood the individual, who was flown back to the United States on a commercial flight in August, worked at the US embassy in Nine Elms, south west London, and though not a diplomat, he enjoyed the umbrella of diplomatic protection.

Charles, who campaigned for Sacoolas to appear in court following her son's death near the US airbase, RAF Croughton, said: "I'm disgusted once again by the US government.

"This has all the hallmarks of Harry's case all over it and it is unforgivable.

"They wouldn't like other countries coming to Washington DC to do this – why on earth do they think they can get away with it here?

"I hope the public speak up again like they did for us for Harry and that this man is extradited back here to the UK...to face justice."

News imageDunn family Harry Dunn in a green hoodie with a background of a brick wall. Dunn family
Harry Dunn's death prompted a transatlantic row between the US and UK governments

Sacoolas admitted causing death by careless driving at a virtual court hearing in December 2022 and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for a year.

Adviser and spokesperson for the Dunn family, Radd Seiger, said the reports were "profoundly disturbing".

He said: "If America wanted this individual in the United States to face American justice, there were lawful ways of achieving that. They appear to have thrown all of that out of the window."

The US Embassy previously confirmed the staff member had been reassigned to the US but that it expected all personnel to "adhere to the highest standards of conduct".

The Metropolitan Police said the force is continuing to liaise with US authorities about the case.

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