Fuming cops vow to drag Burnham to court if he fails to halt PC Harper’s killers’ release as they say ‘we will not stop’

PM Andy Burnham faces being taken to court by furious cops for failing to halt the early release of two of hero PC Andrew Harper’s killers. A Police Federation chief revealed they are poised to take legal action unless Mr Burnham reverses the decision. PC Andrew Harper died trying to stop quad bike thieves Credit: PA Killers Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers Credit: PA Thames Valley chair Aileen O’Connor called the ruling “an insult to Andrew’s family, friends and colleagues” and said “Andy Burnham may be on his holidays but we won’t rest on this.” PC Harper’s family are understood to be backing the move. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! A petition to stop his killers being let out passed 100,000 verified signatures. The Government has given the green light for thousands of killers, thugs and paedophiles to leave jail. READ MORE ON ANDREW HARPER It means two of PC Harper’s killers — Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole — will be eligible for release within months. Mr Burnham had raised hopes he could block the move but decided prisons are too full to exclude manslaughter from the scheme. Ms O’Connor, of Thames Valley Police Federation, said the decision was a betrayal of PC Harper’s legacy. He died trying to stop then-teen quad bike thieves Bowers, Cole and Henry Long in Berkshire on August 15, 2019. Most read in The Sun PM Andy Burnham faces being taken to court by furious cops Credit: Crown Copyright Lissie and Andrew Harper on their wedding day Credit: PA Writing in The Sun, she challenges the PM and Justice Secretary Alex Norris to stand before PC Harper’s widow Lissie and his family “and explain why those responsible for killing a police officer should be eligible for early release”. She adds: “Try telling the officers who attended the scene where Andrew died and witnessed the horrific consequences of that crime.” She also told LBC News: “I will throw everything I can at this through a proper legal challenge from KCs, barristers, you name it. I will do what “I have to do to protect Andrew Harper’s legacy and further victims who don’t have a platform to come on national radio or TV to put across their point. “There are silent victims here in the families of individuals who have been killed who will also be outraged at this.” A petition launched by Ms O’Connor passed 100,000 verified signatures on Tuesday evening. It demands Mr Burnham and Mr Norris “explain why those responsible” for the killing should be eligible for release. After 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in Parliament. Lissie said she was ‘beyond appalled’ Andrew’s killers are getting early release Credit: PA Thames Valley chair Aileen O’Connor called the ruling ‘an insult to Andrew’s family, friends and colleagues’ Credit: Supplied Ms O’Connor added online: “This decision pours salt into wounds that have never healed. “It is an insult to Andrew’s family, his friends, his colleagues and the entire policing family.” Mr Norris made a personal call to PC Harper’s mum Debbie Adlam explaining that the decision was made due to prison overcrowding. But Ms Adlam said her family were “bitterly disappointed”. She added: “I don’t feel like we should be in this position. It’s not somewhere we would expect to be. “We really feel we should have more support than this and, you know, Andrew deserves better than this and so do we. “I think from our perspective we need to know that people are going to be keeping in touch and letting us know what’s going on.” The Sentencing Act was passed in January. It means offenders on standard fixed sentences and due to be released after half their term will now leave after a third. PC Harper’s widow Lissie said she was ‘disgusted’ that her husband’s killers will be released Credit: PA The PM failed to halt the early release of two of hero PC Andrew Harper’s killers Credit: PA:Press Association But violent offenders who would have been freed at two thirds of a sentence will now be out after half. Mr Norris told Sky News: “Were we not to make these changes, then we would run out of prison places in October or November.” “I know that’s difficult. I know that’s created harm, and it’s not Lissie Harper’s fault, and I’m sorry that she’s been put into this situation as a result.” The Prison Governors’ Association said the late changes to policy had put “huge pressure” on staff which could make mistakes “more likely”. Ministers are also under pressure to send back more than 10,000 foreign criminals. Tory Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy urged the repeal of human rights laws that prevent them being returned. Follow our plan to solve jail crisis By Kemi Badenoch, Tory Party Leader LAST week I held a press conference with a group of women who had suffered horrific sexual violence and had received a letter saying that the Government was going to release their rapists and abusers early. It was a powerful moment and one that really brought home the horror of Labour’s early release scheme. So, while I welcome Andy Burnham’s U-turn, it’s disgraceful it took the victims and the Conservative Party raising the issue to force the new Prime Minister’s hand. But it’s still not enough. Killers, including two of the men involved in PC Andrew Harper’s murder, are still eligible for release. It doesn’t have to be like this. In 14 years of Conservative government, we never let rapists, paedophiles and killers out early. In fact, we made sure any early release was after two-thirds of a sentence. Labour have lowered that to just one-third! Britain’s prisons are overcrowded. But the Government needs to look at our plan to build, rent, remove. Build more prisons, rent jail spaces abroad and remove foreign criminals back to their home countries. The Conservative Party is the party of common sense. That means keeping the most dangerous and disgusting criminals behind bars and the law-abiding public safe. 11 comments11