Donald Trump branded a ‘disgrace’ who ‘undermines’ the Special Relationship between the UK and the US by furious MPs after he backs American woman over the death of British teen Harry Dunn
- Mr Trump sparked uproar by appearing to defend Anne Sacoolas over crash
- She fled the UK after the death of Mr Dunn, 19, near a Northamptonshire airbase
- She has diplomatic immunity thanks to her husband Jonathan’s job in Britain
- Mr Trump revealed the US has already decided her immunity will not be waived
Furious MPs tore into Donald Trump today after the US President appeared to downplay the death of a British teenager in a road accident at the hands of an American diplomat’s wife.
Mr Trump sparked uproar by appearing to defend Anne Sacoolas, who fled the UK after the death of Harry Dunn, 19, near an airbase in Northamptonshire in August, saying: ‘It happens’.
Mr Dunn’s distraught family have demanded that Mrs Sacoolas, who had diplomatic immunity thanks to her husband’s post, be brought back to the UK for questioning.
But the president ended an extraordinary press conference in Washington last night by displaying a ‘secret’ briefing note that revealed the White House has already decided her immunity will never be waived – despite a personal plea from Boris Johnson in a call to the Oval Office this week.
Mr Trump said: ‘Those are the opposite roads. That can happen. I won’t say it ever happened to me, but it did.
‘When you get used to driving on our system and you’re all of a sudden on the other system, where you’re driving, it happens. You have to be careful.’
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Chuka Umunna said: ‘President Trump’s comments are a disgrace – they do not show any understanding of the need for justice or the immense tragedy to the family in this case. His decision is totally unacceptable.
Charlotte Graham, whose son Harry Dunn died six weeks ago, says she is ‘disgusted’ that Trump will not hand over alleged killer Anne Sacoolas, who hit him with her car while on the wrong side of the road
Mr Trump sparked uproar by appearing to defend Anne Sacoolas, who fled the UK after the death of Harry Dunn, 19, near an airbase in Northamptonshire in August, saying: ‘It happens’
Anne Sacoolas (right) allegedly hit 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry (left) with her Volvo SUV on August 27 outside a US spy station in Northamptonshire after driving on the wrong side of the road for up to 400 yards.
‘Harry’s family deserve the justice and closure they need. Boris Johnson must do all he can to get Trump to think again and waive diplomatic immunity in this case.
‘If the shoe were on the other foot, a young man was killed in the US and a UK citizen suspect had fled the scene of the crime, the President would be threatening all kinds of action against the UK.
‘This is someone’s life that has been taken. Johnson must not sit back and accept Trump’s refusal. Anne Sacoolas needs to participate in the police investigation so that Harry’s loved ones can get some answers.
‘The Conservative Government must not continue to let them down in their time of need.’
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that the situation was ‘completely unacceptable’.
In a speech this morning he vowed to put as much pressure as possible on the US, adding: ‘If we could take legal action in the US we would do so.’
Sacoolas allegedly hit 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry with her Volvo SUV on August 27 outside a US spy station in Northamptonshire after driving on the wrong side of the road for up to 400 yards.
Days later she was spirited from UK soil on a state-sponsored private jet from America’s air base in Suffolk, RAF Mildenhall, protected by her husband Jonathan’s diplomatic immunity.
The Uk has been making intensive diplomatic efforts to achieve her return to the UK, but so far without success.
Regarding Mr Trump, Labour MP Wes Streeting said: ‘These are crass and insensitive comments that will inflict further pain and suffering on a grieving family.
‘Mrs Sacoolas should return to the UK immediately to provide answers as to what happened to Harry Dunn.
‘The Special Relationship between our two countries has been the cornerstone of our mutual defence and prosperity for nearly a century. President Trump continually undermines that relationship.
‘The British people will side with Harry’s family in their quest for justice.’
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