Burnham: Hundreds to Stay Jailed As Unlawful Killing Exempted From Early Release

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced changes to the early release scheme, confirming that PC Andrew Harper's killers will remain in prison. In an exclusive interview with BBC Breakfast, Burnham said anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter, would be excluded from the scheme, which would have made two of the officer's killers eligible for early release. Burnham said extra prison space would be created by deporting foreign prisoners and releasing some inmates serving indefinite sentences.

The announcement follows months of campaigning from PC Harper's family and former colleagues to block the release of his killers. The 28-year-old officer was responding to a burglary in Berkshire in 2019 when he was dragged along a road by a vehicle as three teenagers fled the scene of a quad bike theft. When it emerged that two of the killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, could be released early, there were passionate calls for the government to intervene.

"I heard obviously what Andrew Harper's family were saying, I mean who couldn't? Nobody would want a position to arise where those guilty of killing a police officer are let out early from prison, Burnham told the BBC. He conceded the announcement would mean "hundreds" more people stay in prison, meaning additional space will need to be found in a system that is more than 97% full in England and Wales.

Debbie Adlam, Harper's mother, told BBC Breakfast she welcomed the prime minister's decision. "I am glad and really grateful that this has been the outcome for us, but I worry immensely for those it doesn't happen for, she said. "And I think realistically, the overall system has left some huge gaps still.

Harper's force, Thames Valley Police, said the announcement would be "welcomed by many across policing and our communities". Chief Constable Jason Hogg said in a statement he hoped it would bring reassurance to Harper's family, as well as to other victims and bereaved families "who continue to seek confidence that the most serious offences are treated with the gravity they deserve". "Today is not about politics, he said.

"It is about remembering Andrew, recognising the profound impact his death continues to have on those who knew him, the communities he protected and those who serve in policing today. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said he was "pleased" Harper's killers would not now be released but added it was a "bittersweet victory". The Conservative politician also warned there had not been an "appropriate level of resources" provided to the probation service and the police to keep the public safe from people being released under the scheme.

The prime minister said finding extra space would be achieved in part through ending Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences, or IPPs. These were available between 2005 and 2012, and were given to offenders who pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public. "I was faced with a situation where people on those sentences who have more than served their time, not being released when others who've committed very serious crimes being released early, he told the BBC.

"The judgement I've made is the public, in my view, would prefer a situation where people who have served their time to be considered for release before those who haven't. According to Ministry of Justice data, 2,271 people are serving IPP sentences as of June. Of those, 856 have never been released because the Parole Board thought it was not safe to do so. Burnham conceded that of those offenders, there will be "individuals who will pose a risk to communities", and said a cross-party oversight group would be established.

The government will table legislation to terminate the sentences by the "end of this Parliament"," he added. Pressed on how many foreign prisoners could be returned, Burnham said it was "hundreds". The government has said powers will be implemented early next year to deport some foreign criminals immediately after sentencing.