Prime Minister Told He Cannot Block Early Release of PC Andrew Harper’s Killers

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been informed by officials that he cannot legally secure a specific exception to prevent the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, two of the men convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper.

The prime minister is reportedly opposed to their release under the government’s early release scheme, introduced to ease severe overcrowding in prisons across England and Wales. Cole and Bowers remain eligible despite a recent review that excluded certain categories of serious sex offenders.

The 2019 Killing PC Andrew Harper, a 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer from Wallingford, died on 15 August 2019 while responding to reports of a quad bike theft near Sulhamstead, Berkshire. As he attempted to stop the suspects, his ankles became entangled in a tow rope attached to their getaway vehicle. He was dragged for more than a mile along country roads, suffering catastrophic injuries.

Three teenagers were convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey in 2020: Henry Long (the driver), who received a 16-year sentence, and passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers (both 17 at the time of the offence), who each received 13-year sentences. Long is not eligible under the current early release provisions due to the length of his term. Cole and Bowers, however, qualify for automatic release after serving half their sentences rather than the previous two-thirds threshold.The case prompted Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, to campaign successfully for “Harper’s Law,” which introduced tougher sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers on duty. Under that law, similar offences committed today would attract significantly longer terms.The Early Release Scheme and ReviewThe Sentencing Act 2026 changed automatic release points for many prisoners serving standard determinate sentences to free up prison places. For serious violent offences including manslaughter, the release point shifted from two-thirds to halfway through the sentence (subject to behaviour rules).After public outcry—particularly from PC Harper’s family—following reports that Cole and Bowers could benefit, Burnham paused the scheme shortly after becoming prime minister. An urgent review led to the exclusion of offenders convicted of rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming from the early release provisions. Around 1,000 prisoners were removed from eligibility as a result, reducing the planned additional releases from roughly 6,000 to about 5,000.The revised scheme is due to begin in October 2026, with releases phased in batches.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris has stated that further exemptions were not possible without risking the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing as early as this autumn. Burnham himself has said he “wanted to go even further” but was constrained by the overcrowding crisis.

Manslaughter convictions, including those of Cole and Bowers, were not added to the excluded categories. Reports earlier this month indicated the prime minister was “exploring every option,” including the possibility of a targeted carve-out or new legislation focused on those who kill emergency workers. Officials had previously viewed a specific exemption for the two men as potentially unlawful.

Reactions

PC Harper’s family have expressed profound distress. His mother, Debbie Adlam, has described the prospect of early release as devastating and another blow to the family. His widow, Lissie Harper, previously called related decisions an “utter betrayal” and “affront to justice.”Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said he was “beyond disappointed,” describing the decision as demoralising for officers who put themselves in harm’s way. The Thames Valley Police Federation has spoken of widespread anger among officers and indicated it would pursue every avenue, including potential legal challenges, to protect Harper’s legacy.

Opposition figures and campaigners have criticised the government for failing to go further, arguing that killers of police officers should not benefit from measures designed to manage capacity pressures.

Current Position

As of the latest reports, Cole and Bowers remain on track for eligibility under the existing rules, potentially becoming releasable after serving approximately six and a half years. Any prisoners released early would be subject to licence conditions with significant controls, and victims’ families are to be consulted.The government continues to face the broader challenge of prison overcrowding, which has been described as a capacity crisis requiring immediate action. Burnham’s administration has emphasised that the scheme is necessary to prevent systemic collapse while longer-term prison building plans are pursued.The development underscores the tension between managing an overstretched prison estate and public expectations of justice in high-profile cases involving the killing of emergency service workers.