Richard Madeley told PC Andrew Harper's mum he was "so sorry" as she discussed her son's case on Good Morning Britain. Debbie Adlam's police officer son died in 2019 at the age of 28, after he was dragged behind the getaway car of three teenagers fleeing the scene of a quad bike theft.
Renewed attention on the case
The case has been in the news again because two of those jailed after the officer's death could be eligible to be let out of prison early because of a scheme to ease overcrowding in jails. It has now been reported that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked the justice secretary to find a way to keep them in prison.
Debbie was asked how she was doing amid the back and forth as she spoke to Richard and co-host Kate Garraway on the show. She said that it had been "gut-wrenching" and that she was being "very cautious with my hope", but Richard told her that "the country's with you".
Richard's heartfelt words
He said: "I know I speak for the whole country when I say this to you. I'm just so, so sorry that this wrecking ball crashed into your life those years ago."
The TV star said that after the trial, Debbie had "some kind of closure". "And then for that wrecking ball to swing back in again into your life and do what it's done to you again, it's just, it's just unconscionable," he said. "And, I mean, people send you their love and their sympathy and their understanding and their utter support."
Sentences and ongoing fight
Three people received prison sentences after the death of PC Harper. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were each jailed for 13 years and Henry Long was jailed for 16 years.
Debbie also told the presenters that she has since received a call from Downing Street, stating: "It was the Chief of Staff called me to say that Andy Burnham is trying to do everything that he can and he's feeling more confident basically that you know something can be done. But the fight goes on, nothing's been done, nothing's been found yet. So until it happens, you know, here we sit."
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV from 6am.
