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."
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