No early release for Pc Harper’s killers after release scheme change

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

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.”

He 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 sentencesunder Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences (IPPs), which were given to offenders considers a significant risk of the public between 2005 and 2012.

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

Published: 30/08/2026 by Radio NewsHub