Lissie Harper, the widow of police officer PC Andrew Harper, has voiced strong opposition to a government scheme that could see two of her husband's killers released from prison early. Describing the potential move as "deplorable," Mrs. Harper criticized politicians for making decisions from behind desks that result in real, lasting consequences for the families of victims.
PC Andrew Harper was killed in 2019 after being dragged to his death behind a getaway car. Two of the men convicted of his manslaughter, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years in custody but are now facing the possibility of early release under the new Sentencing Act. The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, was sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter and remains ineligible for early release under the current provisions.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the controversy on Wednesday, stating he intends to review the Sentencing Act in detail before the policy proceeds further. While he noted that he could not guarantee a complete reversal of the policy, he emphasized his commitment to consulting with the justice secretary. Mr. Burnham acknowledged the long-standing issue of prison overcrowding, which has prompted successive governments to release inmates early to manage capacity, noting that a lack of past investment in the prison system has created an unacceptable situation.
"I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds," Mr. Burnham said, adding that he feels for the Harper family regarding what he described as an "appalling crime." He further stated that it is unacceptable to make light of early releases and supported the recent apology issued by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting for comments captured on camera.
Mrs. Harper, who has spent years rebuilding her life following the 2019 tragedy, expressed her frustration with the current direction of the justice system. "It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable," she stated. "We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite."
The Sentencing Act, enacted by Sir Keir Starmer’s government earlier this year, aims to alleviate pressure on the prison estate, where tens of thousands of inmates have been released early since 2024 to create space. PC Harper's mother also recently described the potential release of her son's killers as an "insult."
