MP backing Harry Dunn campaigners tells House of Commons expansion plan by RAF Croughton must be called in to stop future tragedies

South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom has called for the Government to 'call in' the planning application to expand RAF Croughton amid concerns following the death of Harry Dunn.

Mrs Leadsom was speaking in the House of Commons today, Thursday, to make the case for the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government following a planning application by the base.

As the Chron reported earlier this week, there was another near-miss as a result of someone driving on the wrong side of the road near the US airbase.

Harry died after his motorbike was struck by a car driven by Anne Sacoolas, an American member of the personnel at the base. The car was on the wrong side of the road. Since the tragedy in August, the family has been fighting continuously to secure the return of Mrs Sacoolas to the UK to face justice.

Speaking in the Chamber today, Thursday, Mrs Leadsom said: “It is unthinkable under the circumstances that any planning applications can be treated as business as usual between two long-standing allies.

"In my view, and in that of many residents of South Northamptonshire, it is essential that the Secretary of State calls in any planning applications that could leave my constituents vulnerable to future tragedies.

“When Harry’s parents Charlotte and Tim came to see me with their partners, Bruce and Tracey for the first time in October 2019, it was an emotional meeting, and I assured them that I would do everything possible to try and achieve justice for Harry and to ensure that the tragedy that has happened to their family will not happen to another.”

Radd Seiger, adviser and spokesperson for the family of Harry Dunn said: “Harry’s family are very grateful to Andrea Leadsom for bringing this important debate today. Sadly, none of us can bring Harry back but we can all work together to make sure that the family get the justice and closure they so desperately need by ensuring that Mrs Sacoolas returns to face the charges against her.

“We also all owe a debt of gratitude to Charlotte and Tim. In their darkest hour, they stood up for right versus wrong and are now campaigning tirelessly to also make sure that what happened to them never happens to any family in our country again. The issues of road safety and diplomatic immunity must be addressed now.

“The position adopted by the American Government, which is that their personnel are free to kill our children and just walk away with impunity is both morally and legally indefensible. They are our strongest ally. They need to behave as such.

“The family hope that today’s debate will help the US Government find their truth North again and do the right thing both in respect of Mrs Sacoolas and road safety in and around their bases in the UK. The parents ask no more and will not rest until their reasonable objectives are achieved. Until the US do so, there cannot even be the remotest possibility of expansion at RAF Croughton.”

Speaking jointly, Andrea and South Northamptonshire Council Leader Ian McCord said: “US Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Croughton have long enjoyed a strong relationship with residents in the surrounding villages and across South Northamptonshire. That goodwill has been severely strained by the tragic death of Harry Dunn last year in a road incident, and the circumstances surrounding the return to the US of Anne Sacoolas as the driver responsible for the crash.

“Given the wider issues involved, particularly the interests of national security and of a foreign government, it is clear that the Caborn principles apply to RAF Croughton’s recent planning applications and that there is a wider context that needs to be considered.

"On behalf of the residents of South Northamptonshire, and Harry’s family who are seeking justice for their son, we urge the Secretary of State to use his powers to call in these planning applications for review.”