A family caught up in a row over diplomatic immunity while fighting for justice for their son who died in a crash are “angry and frustrated” after their meeting with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab - and called the event a “publicity stunt”.
Harry Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car on August 27.
The car was thought to have been driving on the wrong side of the road after leaving RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire – a military base used by the US Air Force.
The suspect in the case, 42-year-old Anne Sacoolas, who is reportedly married to a US intelligence official, was granted diplomatic immunity after the crash, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Raab and Northamptonshire Police have asked the US to consider waiving it.
Raab met Harry’s mother, Charlotte Charles, and father, Tim Dunn, on Wednesday afternoon after having talks with US Ambassador Woody Johnson on Tuesday.
Later it emerged Johnson had spoken to US President Donald Trump to personally ask him to “reconsider the US position” to grant immunity, Downing Street said.
Giving a statement on behalf of the family, spokesman Radd Seiger said: “To say we are disappointed with outcome would be an understatement. We are frustrated. We are angry.”
Prior to meeting the US Ambassador, Raab raised the case in a telephone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The family later added they feel “let down” by both the UK and US governments, adding that the meeting with Raab felt “like a publicity stunt”.
Speaking to Sky News, Harry’s mother said she felt “let down by both governments”.
She said: “I can’t really see the point we were invited to see Dominic Raab, we are no further forward than where we were this time last week.
“Part of me is feeling like it was just a publicity stunt on the UK government side to show they are trying to help.
“But, although he is engaging with us, we have no answers. We are really frustrated that we could spend half an hour or more with him and just come out with nothing.”
A No10 spokesman said: “The two leaders also discussed the tragic death of Harry Dunn.
“The Prime Minister urged the President to reconsider the US position so the individual involved can return to the UK, co-operate with police and allow Harry’s family to receive justice.
“The President said he was fully aware of the case and deeply saddened by what has happened, and he expressed his condolences to Harry’s parents.
“The leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible.”
The foreign secretary said the government was “continuing to press US authorities” to allow police to follow up their inquiries into the motorcyclist’s death.
Raab said: “I share the frustration of Harry’s mother and father. They have lost their son and the justice process is not being allowed to properly run its course.
“The prime minster has spoken to president Trump this evening about the case and made clear that what has happened is not acceptable.
“We are continuing to press the US authorities for their co-operation to ensure the police can pursue this case unimpeded and to allow Harry’s family to get justice.
“We will use every avenue and opportunity open to us to try to right the wrong and allow the justice system follow its natural course.”