Andy Burnham blocks early prison release for rapists - but PC Andrew Harper's widow slams 'betrayal' as husband's killers to be freed early

The widow of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty, has accused Andy Burnham of 'betrayal' after it was revealed that two of her husband's killers remain eligible for early release.

Lissie Harper was reacting to the government's announcement that people jailed for rape, serious child sex offences and grooming will be excluded from the upcoming early prison release scheme, and the first early releases will be delayed by a month until October.

The prime minister said in a statement that while he "wanted to go even further", it would not be possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public "at much greater risk".

He is seeking to assure the public that offenders will face tighter community supervision, including new GPS monitoring for rapists to restrict movements.

But the widow of PC Andrew Harper, who died in the line of duty in 2019, said it was "disgusting" and an "utter betrayal" by the government that two of her husband's killers will still be eligible for early release.

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PC Harper had gone to investigate the theft of a quad bike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019 when Albert Bowers, Jessie Cole, and Henry Long tried to escape. His ankles got caught in a getaway car's towrope loop, and he was dragged along a country road for a mile, leading to fatal injuries.

While Long, who was driving the vehicle, was jailed for 16 years for manslaughter and will not be eligible for early release, Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years for manslaughter and will be eligible to be freed under the scheme after serving half their sentences.

Ms Harper said in a statement: "This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew's killers are soon to be free to roam the streets.

"What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a 'sickening crime' that deserves the stiffest of punishments."

She went on to say that Bowers and Cole had "robbed us of our future" and "should remain in jail".

"The government and the justice system have not just let me down... they have added insult to injury. They are meant to be on our side," Harper continued.

"This is an utter betrayal - and it's one I will not be able to forgive or forget."

The prime minister said in a statement that public safety is his "top priority", and he understands the "anger, anxiety and distress that's been caused" by the early release scheme.

"Offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes," Mr Burnham said.

"I want to be honest - I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened.

"But it's not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.

"That's why we will also be introducing much tougher community measures. There will be a presumption that all offenders are tagged, longer periods of supervision and tough new rules, including restriction zones for offenders."

Thames Valley Police chief constable Jason Hogg has said he was "beyond disappointed" that the killers would be eligible for early release, while Aileen O'Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, said she was "absolutely outraged" the government has "decided that killing a police officer... is somehow less serious than other offences deemed too dangerous for early release".

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Under changes in the Sentencing Act, passed by the Starmer government, around 6,000 offenders were set to be freed in September after serving a third of their sentence - rather than half - as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding, while prisoners serving sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than at two-thirds.

But the prime minister paused the scheme and launched an "urgent review" after entering office, and has said that after listening to victims' concerns, rapists and child sexual offenders will be added to the exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.

The government has also announced a new £10m package of support to provide better trauma-informed contact, as well as a new national helpline to contact all affected victims to offer information and support.

More broadly, Mr Burnham hit out at the previous Tory governments for not having invested in the prison estate, with adult male prisons now at 98% capacity, and pledged "the fastest prison-building programme since the Victorian era" to "fix the prison crisis".

He has also asked Justice Secretary Alex Norris to look at how the UK can remove foreign offenders faster, review outdated Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, and free up space in women's prisons.

'U-turn doesn't go far enough'

However, concerns are being raised that domestic abusers will still be eligible for early release, with Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs saying it is "wrong and puts victims' lives at risk".

She said: "It is critical that no abuser is released in October unless I am confident that victims' safety is not being compromised."

The Conservative Party has also issued a statement, with shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy saying: "Labour whipped their MPs to vote to let rapists, paedophiles, and grooming gang perpetrators out of prison early.

"Now they admit the Conservative campaign to stop this was right - this is a victory for victims.

"But their U-turn doesn't go far enough. Some child sex offenders and killers, like those responsible for the death of PC Harper, will still be released early. And the trauma of victims being told their abusers may be released can't be undone.

"One of Andy Burnham's first acts as prime minister will be to let thousands of criminals - including killers and paedophiles - out early."

Reform UK shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf said: "This announcement will still result in dangerous and violent offenders being let loose on our streets, and it fails to bring justice to the family of PC Andrew Harper, whose killers remain on track for early release under this disgusting policy."

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