Government indecision over release of PC Harper killers made police jobs harder, Badenoch says

Kemi Badenoch will tell the Police Federation that government uncertainty over early release made the work of PC Andrew Harper’s colleagues harder. The debate followed news that the men convicted of his manslaughter could have qualified for release next year, prompting criticism of the scheme and the Government’s response.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were sentenced to 13 years after Harper was dragged along a road in Berkshire in 2019, when he became caught in a strap as they fled a quad bike theft. The Government later excluded people convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, from early release. Badenoch is also expected to argue that police officers and others who intervene to help have not received enough public backing.