Burnham has FINALLY shown common sense by blocking early release of PC Harper’s killers – but why did it take so long?

Victims first ANDY Burnham has finally shown common sense by blocking the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s remorseless killers. But why on earth did it take so long? PM Andy Burnham has finally shown common sense by blocking the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers Credit: Getty Killers Bowers, left, and Cole seen laughing as they left a court hearing Credit: The Sun The PM was forced to act amid an outpouring of public fury — with 50 police chiefs voicing their anger and a million people signing a protest petition. With parliament returning tomorrow, he could no longer afford to ignore such a massive outcry. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! But six weeks of dither and delay only put the hero cop’s family through the wringer. They were forced to endure yet more anxiety because officials and lawyers making decisions behind desks failed to grasp the devastating human cost. READ MORE FROM THE SUN SAYS That is simply shameful. Driven by sheer force of public opinion, Burnham has shown he has the power to overrule insensitive penpushers. But he must not allow one victory to become another injustice. He must make sure the price of keeping two killers behind bars is not paid by victims of other violent criminals — including people-traffickers and domestic abusers — who could now be released early in their place. Most read in The Sun Instead, the PM must deliver on his promise to deport thousands of foreign criminals clogging up our jails. The public has had enough of excuses, delays and legal wrangling. It is time to put all victims first. Pain train THE opening of Number 10 North was hailed by the PM as a “transfer of power” out of London. But it seems more like a transfer of money from taxpayers into the pockets of Labour’s well-paid union buddies. Andy Burnham has signed off an inflation-busting 3.6 per cent pay rise for train drivers on over £70,000-a-year who operate the Avanti service between Manchester and the capital. They will also get up to £720 simply for turning up to work on a fifth day of the week to avoid strikes. With little more than half of trains on the route between Number 10 North and South arriving on time, many passengers will wonder if they deserve it. Or whether it’s a price we have to pay to spare the PM’s blushes. EU cuts no Ice THE EU’s latest bid to expand has been frozen in its tracks by the people of Iceland, who voted resoundingly against reopening membership talks. While Brussels bureaucrats were rubbing their hands at the prospect of another wealthy member, the plan was wrecked in Reykjavik in a referendum. Iceland’s 400,000 population gave the EU the cold shoulder and decided to keep control of its sovereignty, its borders and its precious fishing waters. They know you can have strong ties with Europe without handing Brussels the keys. Comment now