PM asks justice secretary to find way to exclude PC Harper’s killers from early release scheme

Andy Burnham said to be ‘determined’ to work out solution amid increasing pressure from family and police Andy Burnham has told the justice secretary to find a way to exclude PC Andrew Harper’s killers from the early release scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding. The prime minister is said to be “determined” to find a solution amid increasing pressure from Harper’s family and police not to allow Jessie Cole and…

Coverage from 2 publishers 2 source reports

GuardianBBC

PM asks justice secretary to find way to keep PC Harper's killers in jail

Update summary

What changed in this update

Andy Burnham is confident a solution can be found to exclude two of PC Harper's killers from an early release scheme, the BBC understands.

Event intelligence

PC Andrew Harper killers early release exclusion dispute

3 connected story threads

Current state

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has changed the early-release scheme in the Sentencing Act to exclude anyone convicted of manslaughter or unlawful killing, keeping PC Andrew Harper's killers in prison; reports on 31 August said the exclusion also covers child manslaughter and deaths from neglect, while critics warn overcrowded prisons are 'one major event away from disaster'.

Grounded in 4 reports across 2 sources

What changed

The early-release exclusion was broadened to include child manslaughter and deaths from neglect.

In this event Families welcome changes to early release scheme Earlier coverage How can Andy Burnham stop PC Harper's killers being released early? Earlier coverage

Source coverage

Source reports

Guardian Published 11 August 2026

PM asks justice secretary to find way to exclude PC Harper’s killers from early release scheme

BBC Published 11 August 2026

PM asks justice secretary to find way to keep PC Harper's killers in jail

Andy Burnham is confident a solution can be found to exclude two of PC Harper's killers from an early release scheme, the BBC understands.

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