Harry Dunn's mother to receive MBE for road safety campaigning
Charlotte Charles has campaigned for justice since 2019.
The mother of Harry Dunn, the 19-year-old killed by a US driver travelling on the wrong side of the road, will receive an MBE today in recognition of her road safety campaigns.
Charlotte Charles is being honoured as part of the King's Birthday Honours for her tireless efforts to raise awareness since Harry's death in 2019.
Harry was struck while riding his motorbike near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire by Anne Sacoolas, a US citizen who admitted to driving on the wrong side of the road.
Sacoolas fled the UK before eventually pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving via videolink. She was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for one year.
Speaking ahead of receiving her MBE, Charlotte shared her surprise when she first saw the envelope from the King.
“I saw on the envelope ‘On His Majesty's Service’ and I thought, what have I done? I thought it might be jury service or something,” Charlotte said.
She explained how she left the letter unopened until she returned from doing the school run for her niece, describing how she burst into tears upon reading it.
“I automatically started crying because you know that fight you've had for so many years... the campaign was a real vehicle for my grief," Charlotte said.
Charlotte also spoke about how campaigning for road safety has given her a way to honour Harry and deal with her loss.
"I'm getting used to living with that campaign, but to be able to have the campaign and so many different avenues we've gone down with it to focus my grief has just been my saviour. Harry was my saviour.”
UK Government announces independent review of case
Coinciding with today's event is an announcement by the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, of an independent review into how the UK Government handled the circumstances surrounding Harry Dunn’s death.
The review, led by Dame Anne Owers DBE, will examine the Government's actions between August and December 2019, including the support provided to Harry's family. Its findings will be published in full, with redactions only for national security or personal data.
David Lammy said he was committed to ensuring lessons were learned from the tragedy:
"I have the deepest respect for the resolve Harry’s family have shown since his tragic death and in launching this independent review, we are honouring the commitments we have made to them.”
Charlotte Charles welcomed the announcement and praised the Foreign Secretary for fulfilling his commitment to order the review.
"We now look forward to working with Dame Anne Owers and doing all we can to support her in this important task. It is our sincere hope that her work will help ensure that no other family is ever treated in the way that ours was,” she said.
Dame Anne Owers called the review important for reflecting on lessons from such a traumatic event.
"I very much hope that this will provide some assurance to Harry’s family,” she said.
Family spokesperson Radd Seiger said it was vital for the truth to come to light.
"As painful as this exercise is going to be for them (the family) and as embarrassing as it's going to be, not for this government, but for the previous government, it has to be brought out into the open because that's the only way you get to learn," he said.
Today marks a significant milestone for Charlotte Charles and her ongoing campaign for road safety in Harry’s memory.