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Harry Dunn’s family cancel chief constable meeting after bid for ‘truth’ fails

The family of Harry Dunn have cancelled a meeting with the chief constable of Northamptonshire Police after it became clear his intention was not to answer “a series of key questions”.

The teenager’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, had scripted a series of questions for Chief Constable Nick Adderley ahead of a scheduled meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

But the PA News Agency were told the force’s chief contacted the family to “provide clarity” that the meeting would only be a “private and personal visit to express condolences”.

Harry Dunn death
Harry Dunn’s family said the time for condolences had ‘long since past’ (PA)

The 19-year-old motorcyclist died when his motorbike crashed into a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 – where signs have since been put up to “drive on the left”.

Radd Seiger, who has acted as a spokesman for the family since the crash, responded to Mr Adderley, claiming the time for condolences had “long since past” and the time for “answers and truth is long overdue”.

Mr Seiger, acting on behalf of Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn, had sent Mr Adderley a series of questions about the granting of diplomatic immunity to the 42-year-old suspect Anne Sacoolas and the way she had left the country.

Harry Dunn death
Please Drive on Left signs and arrows have been placed on the B4031 road outside RAF Croughton, in Northamptonshire, where Harry Dunn, 19, died when his motorbike was involved in a head-on collision in August (Steve Parsons/PA)

PA also understands the family sought answers to the reasons why the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) asked for a delay in telling the family about Mrs Sacoolas’s departure.

Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn also claimed they had heard rumours that officers from the force were on their way to the US to continue their investigation into the case, and expressed their desire to ask what the purpose of such a trip would be.

The final question the family wanted answering was in relation to the potential for charging and extraditing Mrs Sacoolas back to the UK.

Harry Dunn death
Floral tributes on the B4031 outside RAF Croughton, in Northamptonshire, where Harry Dunn, 19, died when his motorbike was involved in a head-on collision in August (Steve Parsons/PA)

Mr Seiger told PA the family had also had an “unsatisfactory” call with a member of the force on Sunday about the case.

He said: “We had an unsatisfactory call from them yesterday from someone who clearly prepared a script.

“Charlotte got very upset at them actually.”

Mr Seiger said the call was ended prematurely and the family had hoped for answers from Mr Adderley.

Harry Dunn death
Green ribbons have been made by members of the village of Charlton, Oxfordshire in memory of 19-year-old Harry Dunn who died while out riding his Green motorcycle near RAF Croughton (Steve Parsons/PA)

Speaking of the rumours about officers heading to the US, Mr Seiger told PA: “We have been told that Northamptonshire Police are either in the US or are on their way from the UK – either going to the States to interview her or see Donald Trump.”

Announcing the decision to cancel the meeting on Twitter, Mr Seiger said: “It is with sadness and regret that Harry Dunn’s parents have cancelled a meeting with (the chief constable) scheduled for this Wednesday.

“When it became clear that his intention was merely to offer his condolences some eight weeks on from the tragedy, instead of answering a series of key questions put to him over the weekend, they felt both theirs and the Chief’s time were better spent elsewhere.

“The time for condolences has long since passed and the answers to the many questions about Anne Sacoolas’ departure and next steps are long overdue!

“Every moment that passes without those answers only compounds the family’s pain and misery. Totally unacceptable!

“The FCO and Northants police have both told the family that the balls is firmly in the other’s court.

“The left hand does not appear to be talking to the right hand and in the meantime they appear to have little or no concern or understanding of the impact that is having. Enough!

“We understand that the Foreign Secretary is making a statement in the House of Commons at 7pm and I will give the family’s reaction to that statement this evening.

“We will not rest until we have justice for Harry.”