Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been accused of betraying the family of PC Andrew Harper, whose killers could be released early under a Labour scheme to ease prison overcrowding. The chief constable and police federation of Thames Valley Police have said they are considering legal action against the government.
Legal challenge considered
Thames Valley Police Federation Chair Aileen O'Connor said she met with solicitors, barristers, and KCs yesterday, stating, "Every legal challenge, if there is a legal challenge, every avenue around that is being considered." She added, "I'm very much throwing everything we can at this. This is a betrayal, it's a betrayal to Andrew's legacy and everything that he stood for and it's a betrayal for police officers across my force that I represent and police officers up and down the country."
Chief Constable Jason Hogg said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that supporting legal action was "certainly" something he would consider, adding, "I do think that the public opinion is overwhelming in this matter, but I think it's unfair and I do believe confidence in the criminal justice system risks being damaged."
Harper's killers may walk free
PC Harper, 28, was killed in 2019 after being dragged to his death while trying to stop a getaway car. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, then 18, were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in 2020. They could now be released early under the scheme.
His widow Lissie Harper called the news "absurd" and a "gut punch" from the government, saying, "They should be ashamed of themselves. I am ashamed to be governed by these politicians and their short-sighted decisions."
Political backlash
Dame Priti Patel, who worked with the Harper family on Harper's Law, said the PM had "betrayed" PC Harper's loved ones. She told the Daily Express, "Andy Burnham has failed them. He has let down our police officers who routinely run towards danger to protect us all."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she supported the Police Federation in considering a judicial review, adding, "I'm against early release of this dangerous category of rapists, paedophiles, killers, including the killers of PC Andrew Harper."
Scheme details and criticism
About 5,000 people are expected to be released early under sentencing changes, down from 6,000 after ministers exempted rapists and serious child sex offenders. Critics argue that those convicted of killing police officers should also be exempt.
Tiff Lynch, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said, "The Government has recognised that some offenders are simply too dangerous to benefit from early release, yet those convicted of killing police officers have been left off that list. That is both deeply disappointing and impossible to justify."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said, "The death of PC Andrew Harper was a horrific crime. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we share the anger from the police community that we are in this position." They added that the government wanted to go further but could not without risking prisons collapsing.
