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 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.

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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 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.

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.

'I will not be able to forgive'

Ms Harper said: "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."

Thames Valley Police chief constable Jason Hogg said he was "beyond disappointed" the killers would be eligible for early release, while Aileen O'Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, was "absolutely outraged".

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PM: I wanted to go further

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," Andy 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."

How did we get here?

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.

Prisoners serving sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than two-thirds.

But the prime minister paused the scheme and launched an "urgent review" after entering office.

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

Mr Burnham also 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".

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".

The Conservative shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, said "the trauma of victims being told their abusers may be released can't be undone".

Reform UK said Mr Burnham's announcement doesn't go far enough, branding the early release scheme "disgusting".

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