Burnham Orders Early-Release Review After Harper Killers Outcry
The Prime Minister ordered his new Justice Secretary to review Labour’s prison early-release policy after fury that two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers could walk free halfway through their sentences. Mr Burnham said the ringleader would not qualify but stopped short of guaranteeing the others would serve full terms, promising to examine “every single part” of the scheme before it takes effect in September.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, jailed for the 2019 manslaughter of the Thames Valley officer, may be eligible for release at the halfway point under the Sentencing Act; the driver, Henry Long, will not. Harper’s widow branded the prospect “deplorable”. “I will review the whole of this policy,” Mr Burnham said; “nobody can deny the pressure on prison places, but I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds.” The episode was inflamed by a hot-mic clip of ministers joking about the policy, for which the Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, apologised. Watch whether the review carves out exemptions for the most serious offenders.