US Diplomat: Removal

Lord Bellingham Excerpts

Wednesday 16th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

With respect to the noble Baroness, I would not conflate the two cases; there are different issues at hand. As I have said, the United States has recalled the individual back to the United States, informed the Metropolitan Police, which is investigating and co-operating on whether there are issues that it needs to investigate and examine. There is a protocol between the United States and others. In relation to the Harry Dunn case, may I just say that that that was under the last Government? There was an investigation. There have been 12 recommendations made. We intend to accept all those recommendations. We are looking as to how we can update the family of Harry Dunn, which we will do by the end of this year. I assure the noble Baroness that we take these matters seriously and the Metropolitan Police is examining and discussing with the embassy what the circumstances were.

[Lord Bellingham (Con)]

My Lords, further to what the Minister said about the review which was carried out by Dame Anne Owers, she concluded that the FCO missed multiple opportunities to influence the US Government and failed to treat that case as a priority. HMG—this HMG, not the last one—said that lessons will be learned from that review and from the Sacoolas case and applied to future cases, so with great respect to the Minister, the Sacoolas case is highly relevant.