Angela Rayner has confirmed that the killers of PC Andrew Harper will not be released early, with the government's plan to prevent their release set to be presented to Parliament in September. The Housing Secretary made the announcement during an interview on LBC, where she stated that the Justice Secretary will outline the government's approach to keeping the most serious criminals behind bars.
Government identifies solution to block early release
Rayner's comments come after weeks of public outrage following the revelation that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, convicted of manslaughter in connection with PC Harper's death, were eligible for early release under a scheme designed to alleviate prison overcrowding. Prime Minister Andy Burnham had pledged to explore ways to keep them incarcerated, but initial proposals to exclude certain offenders from the scheme did not cover manslaughter.
Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari, Rayner said: 'The Prime Minister is really clear, the Justice Secretary will come to Parliament in September to lay out our plans on how we keep the most serious criminals in jail.' When Ferrari pressed whether this would include killers of police officers, Rayner replied: 'Yes.'
Minister confirms solution identified
Earlier that morning, Housing Minister Sally Jameson told broadcasters she was 'sure the justice secretary will find a way to make sure that PC Harper's killers are not released early'. She added: 'He's looking for solutions, and a solution's been identified.'
The Ministry of Justice had been investigating legal avenues to exclude Cole and Bowers without creating a blanket exemption for all manslaughter convictions, which could have undermined the early release scheme's purpose or led to legal challenges. The government's plan will be revealed when Parliament resumes after its summer recess.
Background of the case
PC Harper, 28, was fatally injured in August 2019 while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. He became entangled in a strap attached to the back of a car and was dragged along a country road. The vehicle was driven by Henry Long, with Cole and Bowers as passengers. All three were convicted of manslaughter, but Long is not eligible for early release.
The case sparked widespread sympathy and calls for tougher sentencing. PC Harper had married his wife Lissie just a month before his death. The early release scheme, introduced to ease prison capacity pressures, has faced criticism for allowing serious offenders to be freed early.
Government's stance on early release
Last week, the Prime Minister announced an exemption for those convicted of rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming offences. He said he had 'pushed to the very limits of what is possible to do without risking the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing'.
A No 10 spokesperson previously noted that the manslaughter of an emergency worker is 'not a standalone offence', making it legally complex to exclude specific individuals. However, the government has now found a way to address this, with details expected in September.
The announcement has been welcomed by campaigners and the police, who have long argued that those who kill emergency workers should face the full consequences of their actions. The public will be watching closely as the government sets out its plan to ensure justice for PC Harper and his family.
