HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN THE HARRY DUNN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASE

There is some news in the case of Harry Dunn, the 19 year old who was killed while riding his motorcycle in Northamptonshire. The US and the UK have agreed that it is time to close the 'loophole' which allowed Anne Sacoolas, the suspect in the death of Harry Dunn, to escape from the UK and flee back to the US without facing charges for the RTA which killed the 19 year old.

It is thought that she was driving on the wrong side of the road near the US base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire where her husband works as a diplomat, when she hit Harry on his motorcycle.  Mrs Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity but, since the case has been put in the spotlight by Harry's family, the loophole which allowed this has just been closed. Harry's mother says that this change is a 'huge step in the right direction' but their aim is still to get Mrs Sacoolas back to the UK to face justice for Harry's death.

The law, as it stood, said that if it had been a US official, like one of the diplomats, who had been driving at the time of the accident, then they would have had to face the UK police for questioning and potentially been charged. So in reality it is a tragic legal anomaly which has allowed Mrs Sacoolas to skip the country. The fact that this will not be able to happen again now that the legal loophole has been closed is a good thing but will not bring poor Harry back, although his family have helped anyone in the future if this kind of tragic accident happens again. This is a good decision especially as there have been reports of other drivers driving on the wrong side of the road near the base, although it is not known if they were base staff.

As things stand, the only hope for real justice for young Harry is that Mrs Sacoolas will decide to do the right thing and come back of her own accord to face the charges. Let's hope this happens and respect to the family for their tireless campaign for justice for their boy.