Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a temporary halt to Labour's early prisoner release scheme following widespread national outrage, particularly over the potential release of two men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper.
The scheme, which has already seen thousands of prisoners released midway through their sentences, was due to allow Albert Bower and Jessie Cole to be freed just six years into their sentences for the manslaughter of PC Harper in 2019. The pair were involved in the incident where the officer was dragged more than a mile on country roads with his ankles caught in a tow rope while investigating a quad bike theft.
Prime Minister's announcement
In a statement issued during a visit to Scotland, Mr Burnham said: "Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority. I am working closely with the new Justice Secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September." He added: "No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public. Where changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them."
The Prime Minister had faced sustained pressure from MPs, campaigners, and PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, who earlier called the early release "deplorable" and questioned why releasing prisoners early "is even considered acceptable."
Background of the case
Bower and Cole were sentenced for the killing of the 28-year-old police officer in August 2019. They were pictured laughing and acting up in court. Henry Long drove the car that dragged PC Harper. The national outcry led to Harper's Law, which introduced mandatory life sentences for offenders who kill emergency workers while committing a crime.
