# Government reviews early release of PC Harper’s killers

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/labour-spitting-in-faces-of-police-by-failing-to-halt-release-of-pc-harpers-killers-says-ex-colleague/
- Published: 2026-08-10T23:12:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-11T05:32:29+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andrew-harper-petition-killers-early-release-scheme-prisons-b3030593.html
- Topics: Politics

## Key points

- No 10 U-turned on ruling out blocking early release of Harper's killers
- Burnham asked justice secretary to explore keeping serious offenders jailed
- Over 880,000 signed petition; Harper's family and ex-colleague voiced anger

## Summary

Downing Street faced intense backlash after appearing to rule out blocking the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers, before performing a late-night U-turn in which No 10 said prime minister Andy Burnham had asked justice secretary Alex Norris to explore options for keeping more serious offenders, including Harper's killers, in prison for longer. The episode drew fierce criticism from policing figures and Harper's family, highlighting the political difficulty of balancing prison capacity pressures against public anger over violent offenders being freed early.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, convicted of manslaughter over the 2019 killing of PC Harper, had been due for release in January after serving half of their 13-year sentences, while driver Henry Long, sentenced to 16 years, remains ineligible for early release. More than 880,000 people signed a petition demanding the pair stay jailed, and Thames Valley Police Federation considered legal action. Former officer Chris Bushnell, who attended the scene, accused the government of "spitting in the faces of police officers", while Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, said she had received no contact from the prime minister despite his public appearances elsewhere.

## Coverage

- [The Independent: Government reviews early release of PC Harper’s killers](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andrew-harper-petition-killers-early-release-scheme-prisons-b3030593.html)
- [Daily Mail: We CAN find space to stop killers going free: Prison officers union boss rubbishes Andy Burnham's excuse he can't block early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers, as first officer on scene of his death says ministers 'spitting in the faces' of police](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16042169/stop-killers-going-free-Prison-officers-union-boss.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.