Alleged killer of Harry Dunn 'pouring salt in wounds' by applying to dismiss US civil claim

The alleged killer of Harry Dunn has been accused of “pouring salt in the wounds” by applying to dismiss a US civil claim, as the Prime Minister offered to assist the legal battle.

Lawyers representing Anne Sacoolas are understood to be trying to thwart a case brought by the family of the teenager in the US by saying it is a matter for the British courts.

The 43-year-old, who is the wife of an intelligence officer, allegedly knocked Mr Dunn, 19, off his motorcycle while driving on the wrong side of the road in Northamptonshire last year.

Mr Dunn's grieving family filed a civil claim at a court in the Eastern District of Virginia for damages against Ms Sacoolas last month, but have now been told they have until December to respond to an application to dismiss.

It came as Boris Johnson wrote to Andrea Leadsom, the family’s local MP, offering to file an “amicus brief” in the proceedings - meaning he would offer the court additional information it may wish to consider.

He said he continued to take a “close interest in the case”, adding: “We have separately committed to supporting the family in the civil case they have now launched in the US.

“We will fund their accommodation for the family to attend court hearings there, and are in touch with their US lawyers to understand if it would be helpful also to file an amicus brief in the proceedings.”

Radd Seiger, the family’s spokesman, described the motion to dismiss the civil claim as “pouring salt in the wounds”, but said the parents “take comfort” from the Prime Minister’s involvement in the case.

He added: “Harry’s parents...are rightly upset at this outrageous step being taken when they felt certain that this would also be the least contentious part of the dispute.”

Ms Sacoolas’s lawyers have been contacted for comment.