Harry Dunn death: Mike Pompeo dodges questions on US refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas

Mike Pompeo has refused to explain why the wife of a spy whose car killed British teenager Harry Dunn is being allowed to “evade justice” by escaping extradition.

The US Secretary of State faced tough questions about the case on his visit to London, after the extradition request was rejected because Anne Sacoolas had enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

Mr Pompeo was asked why he was allowing “a US citizen to run over and kill an English boy and evade justice”, but declined to set out the rationale for the decision.

Instead, he claimed the two governments were “doing everything we can to make it right” and seeking “a resolution that reflects the tragedy that took place”.

However, after the extradition rejection – and Ms Sacoolas’ refusal to return voluntarily to the UK – Harry’s family has suggested it is resigned to having to await a more “reasonable administration” in Washington.

Mr Pompeo was even asked if the spy’s wife could be “bartered” for Prince Andrew, who has failed to talk to the FBI about links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – but said the cases would be considered separately.

The comments came as he and Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, staged a show of unity after recent conflicts over the go-ahead for Huawei to help build the UK’s 5G network and the Iran nuclear deal.

Mr Pompeo insisted the so-called special relationship was “not at risk”, despite the UK ignoring Donald Trump’s plea not to use the Chinese firm over security fears.

On Iran, Mr Raab insisted the UK shared the US objective of trying to force Iran to abandon attempts to build a nuclear weapon – despite it siding with the EU to try to rescue the deal the US withdrew from.

During the event, hosted by the Policy Exchange think-tank, Mr Pompeo:

* Revealed he had wanted to visit on Brexit Day – to help celebrate the “fantastic” moment – but Boris Johnson had said it was “going to be a little hectic”.

He reiterated that the UK would be “at the front of the line”, despite deep disagreements over allowing in US agricultural products and opening up the NHS to US drug giants.

* Branded the Chinese communist party the “central threat of our times” and Iran the “largest state sponsor of terrorism”.

* Rejected claims that Iran is “closer to a weapon now” – after the US pulled out of the deal – claiming responsibility lay with the Obama administration which signed it.

On Huawei, Mr Pompeo appeared to accept the UK’s decision, but vowed: “We will never permit American international security information to go across a network that we don’t have trust and confidence in.”

On the “horrible” case of Ms Sacoolas, he claimed: “We will continue to work our way through it to try to get a good resolution, a resolution that reflects the tragedy that took place that day.”

Mr Raab – who was said to be “incandescent with rage” about the extradition refusal – denied it mean the existing arrangements between the two countries were not working.

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk