PC Andrew Harper’s killers WILL be kept in prison – as Angela Rayner confirms No10 U-turn after ‘solution identified’

PC ANDREW Harper’s killers will be kept in prison, as Angela Rayner confirms No10 U-turn after a “solution” was identified. The government previously claimed it would reportedly face legal challenges if it tried to block the release of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole halfway through their 13-year jail terms. Angela Rayner this morning confirmed a solution had been found to keep Bowers and Cole behind bars Credit: PA Justice Secretary Alex Norris is set to lay out plans to keep the duo behind bars Credit: Getty But a government spokesperson said last night that the new PM asked Justice Secretary Alex Norris to find a way to keep the pair locked up. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is understood to be opposed to the early release of the thugs. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Bowers and Cole could be let out in January under Labour plans to release up to 5,000 prisoners over ten months from October. Andy Burnham yesterday urged the Justice Secretary to “work through further options” to stop their release, a minister has suggested. PC Andrew Harper’s widow says she is ‘disgusted’ his killers are going to be freed Credit: PA Andrew Harper’s killers are two of just 950 lags locked up for manslaughter in the UK Credit: PA This morning, a way to stop PC Andrew Harper’s killers being released early from prison has been “identified”, a communities minister told Times Radio. Sally Jameson said the Prime Minister has found a solution to the problem. He told Times Radio: “He’s looking for solutions, and a solution’s been identified. “I mean, it is tricky because of how sentencing works and the sentence that was handed down to those particular offenders, and we’ve got to find a way that makes sure we stop those getting out whilst also recognising that in relation to other offenders.” Most read in The Sun Alex Norris is now expected to set out the steps the government will take to exempt the duo from the early release scheme. Angela Rayner today said the Justice Secretary would set out the government’s plan to exempt Cole and Bowers from early release when parliament returns in September. Speaking to LBC, Ms 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. “The Prime Minister is really clear that these people that have created the most abhorrent crimes should not be released early and that he wants to set out in September with the Justice Secretary how we can resolve this issue.” It remains unclear how the Government will prevent Cole and Bowers release, with two proposals already being rejected by Mr Burnham. It comes amid increasing pressure from PC Harper’s family and the police not to allow Bowers and Cole to be freed. Albert Bowers, who was jailed for manslaughter, is set to get early release Credit: PA Jessie Cole, also jailed for manslaughter, will get early release too Credit: PA PC Harper’s family have previously expressed anger and disappointment at the decision not to exempt Cole and Bowers from early release. And, the boss of his former force said he was considering joining a potential legal challenge over the Government plans. This morning PC Harper’s mum appeared on Good Morning Britain to say she had been “turned inside out” by the government’s flip-flopping on the issue. Debbie Adlam went on to explain that she received a call last night to tell her the Prime Minister was “doing everything he can” to keep Bowers and Cole locked up. She told the programme, however: “Until it happens, here we sit. We’ve been down this road now for a few weeks. “This is week three of waiting to see what is happening and I don’t know how to feel really, Andrew’s family are just going through the ringer here. “We’re not asking for anything more than they were sentenced which wasn’t exactly a tight sentence. “I’m not asking for more to be added on or a special case for Andrew, but the emergency service workers as a whole need better protection.” She went on to brand the early release scheme a “lottery” saying it was “ridiculous.” Debbie continued: “We deserve so much better than this, this is our society and I just feel like we are going to the gutter.” PC Harper’s furious widow Lissie Harper, 35, previously said it was “disgusting” that her late husband’s killers could get out early. She said: “What abhorrent message does this send? “How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer isn’t enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments. “Andrew’s killers have shown no remorse. To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice. “The Government and justice system have not just let me down, they have added insult to injury. “This is an utter betrayal, one I will not be able to forgive or forget.”