Two men responsible for PC Andrew Harper’s death will be blocked from the early prison release under changes announced by Andy Burnham following a backlash over the scope of the scheme.
Some 5,000 prisoners had been due to be released early from October under plans to ease jail overcrowding, down from 6,000 after ministers intervened to exempt rapists and “serious” child sex offenders.
Burnham initially resisted calls to limit the scheme further after it emerged that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were convicted of PC Harper’s manslaughter in 2020, would be eligible from next year.
But under fresh changes announced on Sunday, anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, will be excluded.
Priti Patel returns to Tory backbenches to take on ‘international role’ PC Harper’s killers to remain behind bars under new early release scheme Sort: Newest first Oldest first August 31, 2026 7:36 amJames Cleverly: ‘Nowhere’s safe in London? You can’t run a city you obviously hate’
Eleanor LangfordPolitical ReporterThe former home secretary, who this week announced he is stepping down as shadow housing secretary to bid for the Conservative nomination for London mayor, made the comments when asked about claims from Reform’s mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, that the capital is unsafe.
Asked directly about her comments, Cleverly told The i Paper: “I’m not here to talk about her. Let her talk about her and let her justify her statements.”
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August 31, 2026 7:34 amPriti Patel returns to Tory backbenches to take on ‘international role’
The former home secretary said she would be taking on an “international role” for the party to strengthen links with sister parties worldwide.
In a statement on Sunday night, Dame Priti said returning to the back benches would also give her “greater freedom to stand up” for her Witham and Essex constituency in the Commons.
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) August 30, 2026
She said: “I’m pleased to continue supporting Kemi and the Conservative Party in a new role strengthening our relationships with fellow conservatives and centre-right parties around the world.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to carry out a reshuffle of her frontbench, with the role of shadow housing, communities and local government secretary also vacant after Sir James Cleverly quit to run for London mayor.
August 31, 2026 7:29 amPC Harper’s killers to remain behind bars under new early release scheme
Some offenders serving indefinite jail sentences, which were abolished in 2012, will also be freed through legislation to be brought forward by the end of this Parliament, the Prime Minister pledged.
PC Andrew Harper was killed in Berkshire in 2019 (Photo: Thames Valley Police)Burnham initially resisted calls to limit the scheme further after it emerged that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were convicted of PC Harper’s manslaughter in 2020, would be eligible from next year.
Grooming gang perpetrators will also be blocked from early release after concerns were raised about a potential loophole in the system.
August 31, 2026 7:26 amGood morning – and welcome back
This Bank Holiday Monday also marks the last day of parliamentary recess, meaning MPs and peers will be preparing to head back to Westminster for the start of term.
But Burnham seems eager to get ahead, last night confirming that the two men responsible for the death of PC Harper will no longer be eligible for the early release prisons scheme.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are pushing ahead with a shadow cabinet reshuffle.
It comes just days after James Cleverly stepped back from his shadow cabinet role to launch a bid to become the mayor of London in 2028.
We’ll have all the latest throughout the day – stay tuned.
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