Review highlights UK Government failings after Harry Dunn's death
Family were left unsupported and uninformed in critical moments
Last updated 3rd Dec 2025
A review led by Dame Anne Owers has revealed multiple failings by the UK Government in its response to the death of Harry Dunn and the subsequent handling of his family's needs.
Harry Dunn, a 19-year-old motorcyclist, died on 27th August 2019 after being hit by a car driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas, a US citizen, near RAF Croughton. Sacoolas, whose husband was a US State Department official, left the UK shortly after the incident, claiming diplomatic immunity.
Communication failures were a key problem, with the Dunn family left uninformed about Sacoolas’s departure from the UK. Dame Anne Owers described these failings as “institutional and cultural,” rather than the result of individual errors. The family felt unsupported, particularly during key moments, such as their visit to Washington, where they met former US President Donald Trump.
Sacoolas, who initially claimed immunity from prosecution, eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in October 2022. She attended the trial via video link and received a suspended prison sentence and driving ban.
The review acknowledges improvements made since 2019, including renegotiation of the Croughton Agreement to close immunity loopholes for dependants, training for police on diplomatic immunity, and enhanced family support measures.
Recommendations put forward by Dame Anne include clearer procedures for crisis incidents, stronger communication strategies with affected families, and full transparency of international agreements in Parliament.
Harry Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, described the findings as “emotional” and praised Dame Anne Owers for her care and compassion.
She said, “For years we have carried the fear that Harry’s case was not taken seriously enough at the highest levels when it mattered most. Dame Anne’s findings show that those fears were justified.”
Tim Dunn, Harry’s father, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The hardest part is knowing that more could and should have been done for our boy in those early days. The lack of escalation, the confusion, the silence - it all made our loss so much harder to carry.”
Radd Seiger, the family’s adviser, criticised the imbalance in government responses, with the US escalating the case to high levels while the UK failed to act until it was too late. He called the review findings “a landmark moment” and said lessons must be learned to ensure no other family endures similar treatment.
The review marks an opportunity for change in how international tragedies and diplomatic immunity issues are managed, but the Dunn family and their supporters are clear: recommendations must be implemented swiftly to prevent a repeat of such failings.
The UK government has accepted all of the recommendations in full.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I have huge respect for the dignity and resolve Harry’s family has shown throughout the period since his tragic death.
“On behalf of the UK Government, I thank Dame Anne Owers for undertaking this important review, and the government accepts all her recommendations in full.
“We are committed to learning the lessons from this tragedy – especially on support for victims, ensuring that no family facing a crisis of this kind should have to fight for the support they rightly deserve."