Labour MPs push PM to exempt child rapists from early release scheme

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, July 25, 2026

Labour MPs, led by Jess Phillips, are urging the government to exclude child rapists and sexual groomers from a new early prison release program set to take effect later this year. This push follows public outrage over the potential release of serious offenders and aims to ensure stricter safeguards that prioritize victim safety and public protection.

Labour MPs are pressing the government to exclude child rapists and sexual groomers from an early prison release scheme set to begin later this year. The calls come amid growing concern over the potential release of serious offenders, including individuals convicted of child sexual abuse and manslaughter.

Former Home Office minister Jess Phillips has taken a leading role in advocating for the removal of paedophiles and domestic abusers from eligibility for the scheme. Several Labour parliamentarians, including Jim McMahon, Paul Waugh, and Elsie Blundell, have formally written to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) requesting a reassessment of early release criteria to prevent serious sexual offenders from benefiting.

The pressure follows widespread public backlash after it emerged that two men convicted of killing police officer Andrew Harper were due to be released early. Further analysis indicates that approximately 220 child rapists serving long sentences could become eligible for early release starting in September under the current proposals. Additionally, around 85 individuals convicted of manslaughter may also qualify.

Victim advocacy groups have joined the call for stringent exemptions to protect public safety. Justice Secretary Alex Norris has confirmed that the government is conducting an ongoing review to establish clear guidelines for release decisions. The review will consider the involvement of victims and the implementation of protective measures such as alcohol monitoring and exclusion zones around potential release areas.

No firm date has been announced for the scheme’s rollout as the MoJ continues its evaluation. The debate intensifies against the backdrop of recent high-profile releases, including that of Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang member who was freed this month after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence.

Officials have emphasized the importance of balancing offender rehabilitation with public protection, underscoring the complexity of reforming the early release system. Meanwhile, campaigners and some lawmakers maintain that offenders guilty of serious sexual crimes should be categorically barred from benefitting from the scheme to maintain public trust and safeguard victims.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.