The UK government has hit out at the United States after the wife of an American diplomat allegedly involved in a fatal car crash in England fled the country.
Police, who described the 42-year-old woman “as a suspect in our investigation,” said she had “confirmed to us that she had no plans to leave the country in the near future” and had been cooperative when she was initially interviewed.
Harry Dunn, 19, was reportedly killed on August 27 when a vehicle pulled out onto the wrong side of the road and hit his motorcycle outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
“I wish to offer my condolences to the family affected by this tragic incident. I have called the US Ambassador to express the UK’s disappointment with their decision, and to urge the embassy to re-consider it,” said UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
Northamptonshire Police said they were working closely with the UK foreign ministry to resolve the case.
Family members of diplomats have immunity from crimes in foreign countries unless a waiver is granted.
“Due process was also followed in seeking the necessary documentation to allow for the arrest and formal interview of the suspect, and the force is now exploring all opportunities through diplomatic channels to ensure that the investigation continues to progress,” said Superintendent Sarah Johnson.
"Harry Dunn's family deserve justice and in order to achieve this, a full and thorough investigation, with the assistance of all parties involved, needs to take place," she said.
RAF Croughton is currently a communications centre for the United States Air Force.
Mr Dunn's mother appealed directly to President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene and arrange for the woman to return to the UK.
"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," Charlotte Charles told Sky News.
“We don't know how we can start to grieve for him. We have nothing. No justice. We have nothing to put our minds at rest that she's even remorseful.”
The US embassy in London has said it is in close contact with the family and expressed its "deepest sympathies".
