PC Andrew Harper’s widow has accused Andy Burnham of a “betrayal” after he failed to exclude her husband’s killers from his early release reforms.
Mr Burnham last night confirmed grooming gang rapists would not be let out of jail before their sentences expire.
The Sentencing Act was amended in January, with eligibility for early release based on the length of an offender’s fixed sentence, rather than the type of offence.
The Act had already excluded some of the most dangerous offenders, such as murderers serving life sentences, from the scheme.
But Mr Burnham confirmed on Monday that rape and child sexual offences will now also be excluded.
Now, Lissie Harper has branded the move “disgusting”.
Her husband died in Berkshire in 2019 after being dragged along the road by three teenage quad bike thieves.
In a statement late last night, she said: “This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets.
“What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments.
“The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.
“The killers of Andrew have shown no remorse… they robbed us of our future. They are vile criminals, and they should remain in jail.
Andy Burnham has failed to exclude PC Harper’s killers from his early release reforms
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PA
“To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice.
“The Government and the justice system have not just let me down… they have added insult to injury. They are meant to be on our side.
“This is an utter betrayal – and it’s one I will not be able to forgive or forget.”
Her words came shortly after a similar condemnation from Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg, who said he was “beyond disappointed” that PC Harper’s killers would be eligible for early release.
He said: “I am beyond disappointed the Government is continuing to allow PC Andrew Harper’s killers to be released early from prison despite the overwhelming recent public outcry.
“It is simple: if Andrew’s killers were convicted today, they would receive life sentences due to the law that was created in his name.
“They would not be eligible for early release.
EARLY RELEASE UPROAR – READ MORE:
‘This is an utter betrayal – and it’s one I will not be able to forgive or forget,’ Lissie Harper said
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PA“This decision is demoralising for all police officers and our fellow emergency service workers, not just in the Thames Valley, that put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve their community.
“We stand with Andrew’s family, the Police Federation, our Police and Crime Commissioner in our dismay and we will continue to lobby the Government to make the right decision.”
Some 6,000 offenders were set to be let loose on Britain’s streets in September after serving a third of their sentence, rather than half, in a bid to ease prison overcrowding.
Prisoners serving longer sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than at two-thirds as had previously been the case.
The changes were due to be phased in, beginning with prisoners of less than 575 days.
But the Government said that, after listening to victims’ concerns, rapists and child sexual offenders will not be eligible for the sentencing changes.
These will be added to the exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.
Thames Valley Police’s Chief Constable said he was ‘beyond disappointed’ that PC Harper’s killers would be eligible for early release
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THAMES VALLEY POLICE
Reform MP Robert Jenrick, a former Shadow Justice Secretary, accused the Prime Minister of “ignoring the heartfelt plea of Lissie Harper”.
“He should deport the 10,000 foreign criminals in prison and keep these killers inside,” Mr Jenrick added.
Nick Timothy, who took up the Newark MP’s role after he left the Conservatives in January, said last night: “Labour whipped their MPs to vote to let rapists, paedophiles, and grooming gang perpetrators out of prison early.
“Now they admit the Conservative campaign to stop this was right – this is a victory for victims.
“But their U-turn doesn’t go far enough. Some child sex offenders and killers, like those responsible for the death of Pc Harper, will still be released early.
“And the trauma of victims being told their abusers may be released can’t be undone.
“One of Andy Burnham’s first acts as Prime Minister will be to let thousands of criminals – including killers and paedophiles – out early.”