US diplomat's wife Anne Sacoolas 'devastated' after Harry Dunn fatal road crash

  • Video report by ITV News Reporter Marc Mallett

A suspect who was granted diplomatic immunity in the case of a teen killed in a road crash has said she is "devastated by the tragic accident".

In a statement obtained by ITV News, the lawyer representing the suspect, Anne Sacoolas, has said: "Anne is devastated by this tragic accident.

"No loss compares to the death of a child and Anne extends her deepest sympathy to Harry Dunn’s family."

But the Foreign Office told ITV News on Saturday night that she is not covered by diplomatic immunity.

Mrs Sacoolas' legal representative Amy Jeffress, from the law firm Arnold and Porter added: "Anne fully cooperated with the police and the investigation."

Anne Sacoolas, seen on her wedding day in 2003.

The statement continued: "She spoke with authorities at the scene of the accident and met with the Northampton police at her home the following day. She will continue to cooperate with the investigation.

"Anne would like to meet with Mr. Dunn’s parents so that she can express her deepest sympathies and apologies for this tragic accident.

"We have been in contact with the family’s attorneys and look forward to hearing from them."

Earlier Mrs Sacoolas' lawyer made contact with the representative appointed by the family of Harry Dunn.

The lawyer made contact with Radd Seiger, a former lawyer and family friend, who has just landed in the US ahead of the Dunn family - who are due to fly tomorrow.

Spokesman Radd Seiger for the family of Harry Dunn, flanked by mother Charlotte Charles and father Tim Dunn. Credit: PA

Radd Seiger told ITV News: "I have just landed on a flight from London and had a very brief phone conversation with the legal team representing Anne Sacoolas.

"We have agreed to meet each other at the earliest possibility as soon as we can co-ordinate our diaries."

It’s the first contact between the two parties since Mrs Sacoolas left the UK in the wake of the fatal car crash which claimed the life of Harry Dunn.

Harry Dunn was killed when he was bit by a car in Northamptonshire.

The contact comes after the 19-year-old victim’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, declared that they would take their fight to the US.

They said they will visit both New York and Washington DC to gain support from Americans and “put pressure on the US administration to do the right thing”.

Harry Dunn died when his motorbike crashed into a car outside an RAF base on August 27.

The suspect, 42-year-old Anne Sacoolas – who is reportedly married to a US intelligence official, was granted diplomatic immunity following the crash.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Donald Trump about the Harry Dunn case via telephone. Credit: AP

On Friday, the Prime Minister said America is “absolutely ruthless” in its safeguarding of Mrs Sacoolas following the decision to grant her diplomatic immunity.

Boris Johnson said although President Trump was sympathetic towards Harry’s family’s views on the use of diplomatic immunity, the US are “very reluctant” to allow citizens to be tried abroad.

Speaking of taking their campaign to the US, Harry’s family said in a statement that they “continue to live in a nightmare” and have so far been unable to grieve after his death.