Harry Dunn’s family spokesman has said he plans to lodge a complaint against police over the “distress” caused in a saga over an Interpol Red Notice for the teenager’s alleged killer.
His parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn said they were “livid” with Northamptonshire Police after the force said "at no point" had it informed their spokesman Radd Seiger that the notice had been sent out for suspect Anne Sacoolas.
Mr Dunn 19, died after a crash in Northamptonshire in August and US national Ms Sacoolas is suspected of causing his death by dangerous driving.
Northamptonshire Police reportedly sent an email to the Dunn family saying she was “wanted internationally” and the “wanted circulations should be enacted” if she left the US.
Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn said their lawyers had explained to them that the email meant an Interpol Red Notice was issued for Ms Sacoolas.
But the force sent out a public statement Wednesday appearing at odds with Mr Seiger, insisting that “at no point” had it informed him that the notice had been sent out.
It said: “We wish to make it absolutely clear that, at no point, has Northamptonshire Police informed the family spokesperson for the Dunns, Radd Seiger, that an Interpol Red Notice has been issued in respect of Mrs Anne Sacoolas
“Given that this remains a live case it would be inappropriate to comment further. However, Northamptonshire Police continues to support the Dunn family at this difficult time.”
The teen’s parents called the statement “unprofessional” and “pathetic”.
Mrs Charles and Mr Dunn said: “Why have they done this? The first we learned of this statement was from reading tweets in the media. Radd was busy on other things and it hit us like a bolt of lightning, out of the blue.
“We are both suffering terribly at the moment from stress and anxiety. We panicked and didn’t know what to do.
“The damage was done and we are livid, furious at Northamptonshire Police for doing what they did. How unprofessional of them and for whoever made them attempt this pathetic correction.”
Mr Seiger said: “I will be making a formal complaint to Chief Constable Nick Adderley’s boss, Chief and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold, this evening.”
A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said the force would not be commenting further than the statement already issued.
It came as the US insisted its decision to refuse Britain’s extradition request for Ms Sacoolas was final.
A US official said she had diplomatic immunity as the wife of a US intelligence official based at RAF Croughton. Downing Street branded it “a denial of justice”.
