SerpApi.Org
Andy Burnham has said he will review the early release of Pc Andrew Harper’s killers.
The Prime Minister said that he would reassess the policy of freeing prisoners early after The Telegraph revealed that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole could be released halfway through their sentences.
The pair, who were jailed for 13 years in 2020 for manslaughter, were in the car that dragged Pc Harper, 28, for more than a mile along country roads after the officer’s ankles became caught in a tow rope.
Debbie Adlam, his mother, told The Telegraph that the potential early release of the killers was an “insult beyond anything able to be put into words”.
Referring to the case, Mr Burnham told reporters in Bath: “On the broader issue, I feel for the family, it’s an appalling crime that was committed.
“The main perpetrator will not be subject to any early release. Of course, others involved have potentially been identified.
“But I’ve spoken to the new Justice Secretary. We will review the policy together and make further statements in due course.”
The sentences handed to Harper’s killers prompted a national outcry and a campaign for “Harper’s Law”, which introduced a mandatory life sentence for anyone convicted of killing emergency workers while committing a crime.
The campaign was led by the officer’s widow, Lissie Harper, and Labour backed it at the time. It also supported Tory amendments to enact the mandatory life sentences.
Bowers and Cole are among more than 5,000 criminals due to be freed early under the Labour scheme when the policy becomes operational in September.
The policy allows serious criminals – including killers, rapists and child groomers – to be eligible for release halfway through their sentences rather than two-thirds of the way through, provided they have not committed any serious rule breaches while in prison.
Criminals convicted of less serious offences are eligible to be freed as little as a third of the way through their sentences.
Pc Harper of Thames Valley Police had gone to investigate the theft of a quad bike in August 2019. The pair attempted to flee the scene in a car driven by the third killer Henry Long, who was jailed for 16 years. Long is not eligible for early release.
Speaking to The Telegraph Ms Adlam said: “It makes me feel sick. Andrew’s life doesn’t get to come back. It feels like a slap in the face and an insult.
“People are getting a free pass for crime in this country. I like to try to be proud of my country, but this isn’t something to be proud of. There’s a lot going wrong.”
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Aileen O’Connor, the chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, urged the Government to block the early release of Pc Harper’s killers, saying they 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 to roam the streets,” she said.
“These killers have never shown any remorse for their horrific and deadly actions that night.
“Andrew’s wife Lissie and his whole family are serving a life sentence. The least we can expect is that his killers serve their whole sentence. However poor it already is.
“We will be taking this matter up with the Police minister, the Home Secretary and the new Prime Minister. We will not stop. Andrew deserves nothing less.
“What message does this send about the worth of a life of a police officer? The Government and the parole board must reconsider any plans to release Andrew’s killers early.
“And they must do it now. No ifs. No buts.”
Post pictures of Pc Harper
It is understood that all 43 Police Federation branches in each of the forces in England and Wales will post pictures of Pc Harper on their social media in support of their demands that the Government halt his killers’ early release.
Matthew Barber, the police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, said he had written to Mr Burnham urging him to introduce emergency legislation to block the early release of Pc Harper’s killers and “reduce the worst effects… on the criminal justice system” of the sentencing act which enshrined the changes in law.
“The prospect of Andrew Harper’s killers being released early is deeply troubling. The public rightly expects serious offenders to serve sentences that reflect the gravity of their crimes,” he said.
Before Mr Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday, sources confirmed that he was reviewing whether to exempt rapists and child groomers in the face of the growing backlash over the plans.
However, the early release scheme is written into law via the Sentencing Act 2026.
Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, has written to Alex Norris, the incoming Justice Secretary, urging him to adopt emergency legislation proposed by the Tories which would at least exempt rapists and paedophiles from the scheme.
An analysis of Ministry of Justice figures by the Conservatives estimated almost 2,500 rapists and paedophiles would be eligible for release in September, including more than 100 rapists jailed for more than 15 years.
Nearly 9,000 victims of serious sexual or violent crimes have been warned that their attackers will be released early from prison from September.
