Andy Burnham has ordered a review of the early release policy after the widow of PC Andrew Harper condemned plans that could see two of his killers freed halfway through their sentences. Lissie Harper, who married the police officer a month before his death, branded the prospect "deplorable" and said victims "deserve better".
Killers eligible for early release
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were jailed for 13 years in 2020 for the manslaughter of PC Harper, 28. Under the Ministry of Justice early release scheme, they are now eligible for release. Henry Long, who drove the car that dragged PC Harper along a country road, was jailed for 16 years and is not eligible.
Lissie Harper said: "It has taken me years to rebuild a life that was torn apart in a matter of moments. Years to pick up the pieces left behind by three men whose actions robbed Andrew of his life and stole our future. It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable."
Burnham pledges review
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "All I can say is I will review the whole of this policy. Nobody can deny the pressure on prison places. I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the Justice Secretary."
The Sentencing Act, due in September, is set to free 6,000 offenders. The government has not clarified if killers, rapists and paedophiles will be among those released.
Harper's Law 'feels forgotten'
The national outcry over PC Harper's killing led to Harper's Law, which introduced mandatory life sentences for offenders who kill emergency workers while committing a crime. But Lissie Harper said it all "feels forgotten". She added: "Andrew deserves better. Every victim deserves better. And the British public deserve a justice system they can have faith in."
PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, said: "It was appalling to receive the update [that] this could happen. I'm basically waiting to find out at the end of August whether our offenders are included... but for any victim this is horrifying."
Cabinet ministers joked about scheme
Burnham reprimanded Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for joking about the release scheme. They were caught on a live mic at Downing Street. Burnham said: "No, it's not and certainly that's been acknowledged and apologies have been made."
Kemi Badenoch accused the Cabinet of "joking about letting criminals out of prison early" and said her Tory party would "continue to fight this disgusting policy". She added: "If Andy Burnham wants to show real leadership, he will call a halt to Labour's early release scheme immediately."
Reaction from police and victims' commissioner
Aileen O'Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said: "The killers of PC Andrew Harper should be kept where they belong, behind bars. Police across Thames Valley – and indeed the country – will be disgusted at the prospect of these smirking lowlifes being free."
Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman said: "I do not have confidence that these releases can be managed in a way that fully safeguards victims, protects the public and maintains confidence in the justice system."
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the potential release "an insult to Andrew Harper's memory and to police officers who put themselves at risk every day". He added: "These criminals were convicted of killing a serving police officer. They should not be getting released after just half their sentence."
