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Harry Dunn's father meets Priti Patel as extradition process starts | |
(30 minutes later) | |
Harry Dunn's father has met the home secretary, as her department considers requesting the extradition of a US woman charged over his death. | Harry Dunn's father has met the home secretary, as her department considers requesting the extradition of a US woman charged over his death. |
Priti Patel went to the home of the lawyer acting for the parents, in Northampton. | Priti Patel went to the home of the lawyer acting for the parents, in Northampton. |
The meeting comes shortly after suspect Anne Sacoolas was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service. | The meeting comes shortly after suspect Anne Sacoolas was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service. |
The family said they were "incredibly reassured" to meet Ms Patel, who was accompanied by local MP Andrea Leadsom. | The family said they were "incredibly reassured" to meet Ms Patel, who was accompanied by local MP Andrea Leadsom. |
The home secretary said she had met the family to explain the extradition process to them and sat down with Mr Dunn's father, Tim Dunn. | The home secretary said she had met the family to explain the extradition process to them and sat down with Mr Dunn's father, Tim Dunn. |
Ms Patel said she was "very grateful" to the family for meeting her during such a difficult and traumatic time. | Ms Patel said she was "very grateful" to the family for meeting her during such a difficult and traumatic time. |
She said: "It was a nice opportunity to hear from them, obviously about what they have been experiencing, what they have been going through, and to reassure them at what has been a very difficult and traumatic time for them." | She said: "It was a nice opportunity to hear from them, obviously about what they have been experiencing, what they have been going through, and to reassure them at what has been a very difficult and traumatic time for them." |
Family spokesman Radd Seiger said they were now "incredibly reassured this whole saga will be dealt with under the rule of law". | Family spokesman Radd Seiger said they were now "incredibly reassured this whole saga will be dealt with under the rule of law". |
"You hear from some of the most senior politicians in this country... they are going to go to bed tonight feeling reassured." | "You hear from some of the most senior politicians in this country... they are going to go to bed tonight feeling reassured." |
Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, did not attend the meeting. | Mr Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, did not attend the meeting. |
Mr Dunn, 19, died in a road crash in Northamptonshire in August. | Mr Dunn, 19, died in a road crash in Northamptonshire in August. |
Mrs Sacoolas left for the US under diplomatic immunity, but on Friday was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, following a campaign by Mr Dunn's family. | Mrs Sacoolas left for the US under diplomatic immunity, but on Friday was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, following a campaign by Mr Dunn's family. |
South Northamptonshire MP and Business Secretary Mrs Leadsom was thanked outside the meeting by Mr Seiger for her support. | South Northamptonshire MP and Business Secretary Mrs Leadsom was thanked outside the meeting by Mr Seiger for her support. |
Mrs Leadsom said there was a "clear process" of extradition. | Mrs Leadsom said there was a "clear process" of extradition. |
She added: "As the home secretary has made clear we have a very clear process in the UK, there's a clear extradition treaty and it is absolutely vital that we get justice for Harry." | She added: "As the home secretary has made clear we have a very clear process in the UK, there's a clear extradition treaty and it is absolutely vital that we get justice for Harry." |
Mr Dunn's mother had said the family was "relieved" Mrs Sacoolas, 42, had finally been charged. | Mr Dunn's mother had said the family was "relieved" Mrs Sacoolas, 42, had finally been charged. |
But US officials said it was not "a helpful development" and Mrs Sacoolas' lawyer said she would not return to the UK "to face a potential jail sentence for what was a terrible but unintentional accident". | But US officials said it was not "a helpful development" and Mrs Sacoolas' lawyer said she would not return to the UK "to face a potential jail sentence for what was a terrible but unintentional accident". |
Mr Dunn died after his motorbike was in collision with a car owned by Mrs Sacoolas outside RAF Croughton, where her husband Jonathan worked as an intelligence officer. | Mr Dunn died after his motorbike was in collision with a car owned by Mrs Sacoolas outside RAF Croughton, where her husband Jonathan worked as an intelligence officer. |
After it confirmed Mrs Sacoolas had been charged, the CPS said extradition proceedings had started, noting that the "Home Office is responsible for considering our request and deciding whether to formally issue this through US diplomatic channels". | After it confirmed Mrs Sacoolas had been charged, the CPS said extradition proceedings had started, noting that the "Home Office is responsible for considering our request and deciding whether to formally issue this through US diplomatic channels". |
"Our specialist extradition team will be working closely with the UK Central Authority at the Home Office to do this," it added. | "Our specialist extradition team will be working closely with the UK Central Authority at the Home Office to do this," it added. |
Can Anne Sacoolas be extradited? | Can Anne Sacoolas be extradited? |
The extradition request is sent via the British Embassy to the US State Department. | The extradition request is sent via the British Embassy to the US State Department. |
A lawyer will then decide whether it falls under the dual-criminality treaty, where the alleged offence is a crime in both countries and carries a prison sentence of at least a year. | A lawyer will then decide whether it falls under the dual-criminality treaty, where the alleged offence is a crime in both countries and carries a prison sentence of at least a year. |
The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years' imprisonment, although this is usually reserved for the most serious cases. | The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years' imprisonment, although this is usually reserved for the most serious cases. |
The US may reject the request for extradition, arguing that Mrs Sacoolas is still entitled to diplomatic immunity. | The US may reject the request for extradition, arguing that Mrs Sacoolas is still entitled to diplomatic immunity. |
A statement from Amy Jeffress, Mrs Sacoolas's lawyer, said she had "co-operated fully with the investigation and accepted responsibility". | A statement from Amy Jeffress, Mrs Sacoolas's lawyer, said she had "co-operated fully with the investigation and accepted responsibility". |
It added: "This was an accident, and a criminal prosecution with a potential penalty of 14 years' imprisonment is simply not a proportionate response. | It added: "This was an accident, and a criminal prosecution with a potential penalty of 14 years' imprisonment is simply not a proportionate response. |
"We have been in contact with the UK authorities about ways in which Anne could assist with preventing accidents like this from happening in the future, as well as her desire to honour Harry's memory. | "We have been in contact with the UK authorities about ways in which Anne could assist with preventing accidents like this from happening in the future, as well as her desire to honour Harry's memory. |
"We will continue that dialogue in an effort to move forward from this terrible tragedy." | "We will continue that dialogue in an effort to move forward from this terrible tragedy." |