Tories push to stop release of police killers

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 7, 2026

The Conservative Party plans to introduce an amendment to prevent individuals convicted of manslaughter against emergency workers, including those responsible for Pc Andrew Harper’s death, from being eligible for early release under the Sentencing Act 2026. If debated in Parliament next month, this amendment could challenge Justice Secretary Andy Burnham’s implementation of early release policies and intensify public and political opposition to the current system.

The Conservative Party is preparing to oppose the early release of the individuals convicted of manslaughter in the death of Pc Andrew Harper through an amendment to current legislation. The proposed change would remove those convicted of killing emergency workers from eligibility for early release under the Sentencing Act 2026.

Matthew Barber, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, has drafted the amendment, which is expected to be submitted to the House of Commons when Parliament reconvenes after its summer recess next month. The amendment aims to exclude offenders “serving a sentence of imprisonment for manslaughter against an emergency worker” from the early release scheme designed to alleviate prison overcrowding.

Barber has reportedly discussed the proposal with shadow home secretary Chris Philp and shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy. If the amendment is selected for debate by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, it will represent one of the first significant parliamentary challenges for Justice Secretary Andy Burnham, who is overseeing the implementation of the Sentencing Act. Early releases are set to begin in October following a Prime Ministerial review that excluded some categories, such as rapists and child sex offenders, but still allows early release for those convicted of manslaughter, including two of the three men responsible for Pc Harper’s death.

Pc Harper was killed in August 2019 after responding to reports of a stolen quad bike near Sulhamstead, Berkshire. Henry Long received a 16-year sentence, while Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were each sentenced to 13 years. Under the current early release policies, Bowers and Cole have become eligible for release after serving half of their sentences despite not expressing remorse. This prospect has prompted strong condemnation from Pc Harper’s family and colleagues.

Barber has contended that the government’s claim they cannot change the law retrospectively is inaccurate, asserting that his amendment does not require retroactive application of the law. He has indicated that both he and Thames Valley Chief Constable Jason Hogg have written to the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Alex Norris seeking a response, but as of yet have received none. Hogg has also expressed support for a possible legal challenge to the government’s policy, potentially in the form of a judicial review, although the success of such a move is uncertain.

The Police Federation, representing frontline officers, is reportedly considering similar legal action. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Burnham faces dissent from some Labour MPs over the broader early release plan, including MPs concerned about the release of domestic violence offenders.

Public opposition has been significant, with a petition calling for the blocking of the early release of Pc Harper’s killers gathering more than half a million signatures. The debate over this issue is expected to resurface prominently as Parliament returns and the early release schedule moves forward.

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.