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Harry Dunn's parents are "livid" at Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab after he defended the government's decision to seek legal costs from them.

The family of the 19-year-old, who died in a crash outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August, are taking legal action against Mr Raab.

They allege he misused or abused his power by granting diplomatic immunity to Anne Sacoolas, whose husband is thought to be a US intelligence officer.

Ms Sacoolas is accused of driving the car that collided with Mr Dunn's motorbike in the fatal crash.

© Other Harry Dunn was killed in a crash in August. Pic: Facebook The Foreign Office has previously said it would oppose the family's legal action and invited them to drop the challenge.

They said in a letter to the family: "In the event that the claim is issued, it will be defended, the application for permission will be opposed, and the secretary of state will seek his costs for doing so."

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Raab defended his department's position despite admitting it "pains" him.

"The representative of the family is suing the Foreign Office and they've talked about a litigation strategy in the US as well," he said.

"They're crowdfunding for that purpose and we just cannot responsibly allow ourselves to be sued without taking the normal action in defending ourselves when the position that the representative and the family are pursuing in law is wrong.

"It pains me because I want to give them the solace of justice in this case.

© Sky News Screen Grab Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News his department 'needs to protect the taxpayers' money' "But we also need to protect the taxpayers' money and the legal position that we set out, which is the correct one.

"So it's very difficult, but that's the position that we're in."

Mr Dunn's parents reacted with fury to the cabinet minister's comments, with Radd Seiger - the family's spokesperson - revealing they were "livid".

He added: "They are not engaged in some frivolous vexatious litigation frolic of their own against the FCO.

"Quite the opposite. They are British citizens who have had their entitlement to justice robbed from them by the US government under the watch of Mr Raab and the FCO.

"He knows perfectly well that Mrs Sacoolas never had diplomatic immunity.

"He has lied to the parents before and he is now lying to the nation. The parents are entitled to answers and the truth.

"If he is so concerned about taxpayers' money in the litigation then he would come and talk to us to find a resolution, rather than risking having to have the taxpayers themselves having to pay a very expensive legal bill if the FCO lose."

Mr Dunn's parents were also said to be "concerned that the US and UK governments are conspiring and colluding to pervert the course of justice", adding: "They will not stand idly by whilst that is happening."

Sky News understands it is usual government practice to seek costs in legal challenges of this type.

A crowdfunding campaign by Mr Dunn's family, on website GoFundMe, has raised more than £90,000 of its £100,000 target since being created on 1 October.

It states: "This funding page is being set up to help the family and his twin brother Niall through these traumatic times and to build up a fund as the family embark on a campaign to search for Justice for Harry as the legal process unfolds."

Mr Raab has met Mr Dunn's family and also told Sky News his "heart goes out" to them.



"I'm a father myself, I can't imagine what it must be like - every day - to suffer the loss of a son," he said.

"I'll do everything I can, and the foreign office is doing everything it can, to clear the path for justice for Harry's family - to allow the police and CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] to do their job.

"They are doing their job and we will support it in any way that we can."