Prime Minister Andy Burnham seeks way to block early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers
3 sources · United Kingdom
Who reported this
- The Independent
- BBC News
- Sky News
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has instructed Justice Secretary Alex Norris to find a way to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in prison, preventing them from benefiting from an early release scheme intended to reduce prison overcrowding. Cole and Bowers were sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of 28 year old PC Andrew Harper in 2020. PC Harper died in 2019 after being dragged behind a getaway car during a quad bike theft in Berkshire. Under current sentencing changes, the pair would be eligible for release in January after serving half of their sentences. A third man, Henry Long, received a 16 year sentence and is not eligible for the scheme.
Downing Street initially stated it was not possible to exempt one or two specific offenders convicted of manslaughter without affecting many other inmates. A government spokesperson noted that prisons could run out of space as soon as October, which would hinder police arrests and risk public safety. However, later reports indicate the Prime Minister has been making daily calls while on holiday to find a solution to keep serious offenders, including Cole and Bowers, incarcerated.
The situation has drawn significant public and professional backlash. More than 880,000 people have signed a petition against the release. Aileen O'Connor, chairwoman of the Thames Valley Police Federation, called the government's position indefensible. Former officer Chris Bushnell, who responded to the scene of PC Harper's death, described the potential release as outrageous and said the government is spitting in the face of police officers. PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, has expressed anger and requested a meeting with the Prime Minister, stating that she has received no official contact from the government.
Approximately 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released under the new sentencing rules, a figure reduced from 6,000 following exemptions for the most serious crimes, such as rape and child sex offences.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These reports emphasized the emotional distress of the victim's family and the accusations from police colleagues that the government is betraying the force.
- Centre
- These reports focused on the Prime Minister's directive to the Justice Secretary and the logistical challenges of the prison system.
Sources
- Centre BBC News: PM asks justice secretary to find way to keep PC Harper's killers in jail
- Centre Sky News: Burnham wants to find way to stop release of PC Harper's killers
- Centre-left The Independent: Pc Harper’s mother ‘more angry than ever’ as she asks Burnham to meet her over early release scheme
- Centre-left The Independent: Labour ‘spitting in faces of police’ by failing to halt release of PC Harper’s killers, says ex-colleague
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.