Trump administration accused by the UK of a ‘denial of justice’ after refusing to extradite a diplomat’s spouse accused of killing a British teenager

• The US has denied the UK’s request for the extradition of the US diplomat’s spouse who’s accused of inflicting the dying of a British teenager close to a US navy base in England final summer season.
• Harry Dunn was killed after being struck by a automobile which was allegedly being pushed by Anne Sacoolas on the incorrect facet of the street.
• The Residence Workplace stated: “We’re upset on this determination, which seems to be a denial of justice. We’re urgently contemplating our choices.”
• A spokesman for the Dunn household accused the Trump administration of taking a “wrecking ball” to the alliance between the UK and US.

The US has denied the UK’s extradition request for the spouse of an American diplomat who was concerned in a automobile crash which killed an English teenager final yr, a transfer the Residence Workplace branded “a denial of justice.”

Harry Dunn, a 19-year-old, was killed outdoors a US navy base in Northamptonshire, England, in August final yr.

British prosecutors sought the extradition of Anne Sacoolas, 42, after she was charged with inflicting his dying by harmful driving in December. Stories have advised that she was driving on the incorrect facet of the street when Dunn was struck.

However US secretary of state Mike Pompeo confirmed in a single day that the request had been denied.

The US state division stated granting the extradition request “would set a very troubling precedent.”

A protracted-standing settlement between the UK and US signifies that Sacoolas, because the spouse of an American official stationed on the base, had diplomatic immunity.

She returned to the US following the crash and has refused to return to England the place she would face legal expenses.

The Residence Workplace stated: “We’re upset on this determination, which seems to be a denial of justice. We’re urgently contemplating our choices.”

Washington had been anticipated to disclaim the extradition request, however the determination nonetheless dangers being politically damaging for Boris Johnson, who is raring to forge a better relationship with Trump as each administrations enter into negotiations over a post-Brexit commerce deal.

Radd Seiger, a spokesman for the Dunn household, accused the Trump administration of taking a “wrecking ball” to the alliance between the 2 international locations.

“This administration is heaving lawlessly and taking a wrecking ball to one of many biggest alliances within the phrase. It is a lawless, corrupt administration that seems intent on attacking even its closest worldwide ally.”

He known as for the British authorities to satisfy the household and talk about potential subsequent steps however appeared to acknowledge that Trump wouldn’t accede to the UK’s calls for.

“This administration will go away, however this extradition request won’t ever go away,” he stated.

In an announcement rejecting the UK’s extradition request, the US state division stated Sacoolas had loved diplomatic immunity throughout her keep within the UK, which means she mustn’t face expenses.

“If the US had been to grant the UK’s extradition request, it could render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a sensible nullity and would set a very troubling precedent,” it stated.