Government "Increasingly Confident" It Can Block Harper Killers' Release
The government said it was increasingly confident it had found a way to stop the automatic early release of the two men jailed over the death of PC Andrew Harper, as officials examined the legal routes available. The pair had been due for release under the emergency scheme to ease prison overcrowding. Ministers acted after an outcry and warnings of legal action.
Having first suggested the releases could not be stopped, the government shifted under pressure to insist a mechanism could be found — a reversal that spared it a damaging row but drew scrutiny of the wider early-release scheme now emptying overcrowded jails. Harper, a Thames Valley officer, was dragged to his death behind a car in 2019, a case that changed the law on killing emergency workers, and the prospect of his killers going free caused national anger. His mother has sought a meeting with the Prime Minister. Lawyers caution that any bespoke fix may face legal challenge. Watch how the mechanism is applied and whether it holds up in court.