Independent readers largely opposed calls for the government to prevent the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, two people convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper. Many argued that intervening in one high-profile case would undermine judicial independence, while others said the dispute highlights prison overcrowding and pressure on the criminal justice system.

The issue has prompted criticism of the government, including from a police chief, and a petition seeking to keep the pair in prison had attracted more than 880,000 signatures. Some readers nevertheless supported an exception for those involved in killing police officers, while others questioned whether Cole and Bowers should be treated the same as Harper’s actual killer because they were convicted under joint enterprise law.