Burnham bows to public outcry and blocks PC Harper's killers from early release, keeping 'hundreds' more behind bars
PC Andrew Harper, whose killing by three teenagers prompted his widow Lissie Harper's relentless campaign, is central to Andy Burnham's decision to exclude manslaughter convictions from early release.Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, two of PC Andrew Harper's killers, will now remain behind bars after Andy Burnham's reversal means manslaughter convictions no longer qualify for early release.
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper, who was dragged to his death behind a vehicle during a quad bike theft in Berkshire in 2019. Under changes announced by Andy Burnham, they will no longer be eligible for early release. The revised scheme now excludes anyone convicted of unlawful killing, covering offences such as manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, as well as those found guilty of grooming gang offences and historic indecent assault — closing a loophole that had sparked widespread anger among the public and politicians alike. Burnham conceded the move will add hundreds of prisoners to a jail estate already running above 97% capacity, with space to be created through the deportation of foreign nationals and the release of certain offenders serving indefinite sentences. Justice Secretary Alex Norris is expected to set out the full details to Parliament on Tuesday.
Debbie Adlam, PC Harper's mother, said she was 'grateful' but that the family is 'only back at where we were to start with' after several 'traumatic' months.
The expanded exemptions are reportedly regarded internally as a 'political decision', with the Ministry of Justice having previously warned that broadening exclusions risked prisons 'reaching capacity and collapsing'.
Burnham also pledged legislation to abolish indefinite IPP sentences before this Parliament ends, freeing up capacity to sustain the stricter early-release criteria long term.
