PC Harper's killers WILL stay behind bars as Andy Burnham confirms changes to Labour's early release scheme

PC Andrew Harper’s killers will be excluded from the early release scheme after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be exempt.

Mr Burnham said "hundreds" of people will remain in prison as part of changes to the scheme designed to ease prison overcrowding.

Prisoners convicted of historic child sex offences will also be blocked from changes.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were handed a 13-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of the 28-year-old in 2020 after the police officer was dragged for more than a mile behind their car after responding to reports of a quad bike theft in 2019.

Mr Burnham said: "I know how strongly people feel about this issue. I understand the concern and anger because I share it.

"That’s why I took action during my first weeks as Prime Minister to block some of the very worst in society being released before they should.

"We moved quickly to block vile criminals who commit rape, sexually abuse children and groom vulnerable young people.”

Speaking to the BBC, the Prime Minister continued: "But I always said I wanted to do more. We will now not only be keeping offenders serving time for indecent assault locked up, but also those in prison for manslaughter and death by dangerous driving.

"This means that the awful criminals responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper will not have their sentence shortened."

The Prime Minister ordered a review of the changes to the Sentencing Act, which is being undertaken by Justice Secretary Alex Norris and is set to be published when Parliament returns from summer recess this week.

That followed widespread condemnation of the scheme when it emerged Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole could be released halfway through their 13-year sentences.

They were passengers in the car that dragged PC Harper down a country road after he got caught in a strap attached to the vehicle as they fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019.

Mr Burnham said extra space in prisons would be created by deporting foreign prisoners and releasing inmates who are serving indefinite sentences under Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences (IPPs), which were given to offenders considered a significant risk to the public between 2005 and 2012.

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Full details of the latest changes are expected to be revealed by the Justice Secretary Alex Norris when Parliament returns.

Last month, Labour admitted around 6,000 criminals could be eligible for release, either having served half of their term or, in some cases, a mere third.

The Sentencing Act was whipped up by Sir Keir Starmer's Government as they looked for solutions to the prison crisis.

Following serious backlash from police leaders and local communities, as well as a petition that rapidly collected more than a million signatures, Mr Burnham announced a U-turn on the issue.

The Prime Minister was able to exempt around 1,000 rapists and child sex offenders from the controversial scheme.

However, with the revised agreement, PC Harper's killers would still have been allowed to roam free on Britain's streets.

This has now been amended further, Mr Burnham has said.

Bowers and Cole were trying to steal the quad bike and, upon PC Harper's arrival, fled the scene.

The third convicted individual, the driver, Henry Long, has not been eligible for early release.

When it was first suggested that PC Harper's killers would be released under the notorious scheme, the police officer's widow, Lissie Harper, who campaigned for Harper's Law, said the move was an "utter betrayal".

"This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets,” she said in a statement.

Mrs Harper said: "What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments.

"The level of disrespect the government is showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt."

She added: "The killers of Andrew have shown no remorse... they robbed us of our future. They are vile criminals and they should remain in jail.

"To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice. The Government and the justice system have not just let me down... They have added insult to injury. They are meant to be on our side."

An MoJ spokesman previously 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."

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