PC Harper’s killers to stay in prison under PM’s updated early-release scheme

Two men responsible for PC Andrew Harper’s death will be blocked from the early prison release under changes announced by Andy Burnham following a backlash over the scope of the scheme. Some 5,000 prisoners had been due to be released early from October under plans to ease jail overcrowding, down from 6,000 after ministers intervened to exempt rapists and “serious” child sex offenders. Burnham initially resisted calls to limit the scheme further after it emerged that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were convicted of PC Harper’s manslaughter in 2020, would be eligible from next year. But under fresh changes announced on Sunday, anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, will be excluded. Sort: August 31, 2026 7:26 amGood morning – and welcome back Welcome back to The i Paper’s politics live blog on Monday, 31 August.This Bank Holiday Monday also marks the last day of parliamentary recess, meaning MPs and peers will be preparing to head back to Westminster for the start of term.There’s a fair amount already on Andy Burnham’s in-tray, and the Prime Minister will face his very first face-off with Kemi Badenoch in the Commons on Wednesday.But Burnham seems eager to get ahead, last night confirming that the two men responsible for the death of PC Harper will no longer be eligible for the early release prisons scheme.But under fresh changes announced on Sunday, anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, will be excluded.Meanwhile, the Conservatives are pushing ahead with a shadow cabinet reshuffle.Dame Priti Patel has announced that she will leave her job as shadow foreign secretary and return to the backbenches. It comes just days after James Cleverly stepped back from his shadow cabinet role to launch a bid to become the mayor of London in 2028.We’ll have all the latest throughout the day – stay tuned.