- Lissie Harper, widow of PC Andrew Harper , has said she is “beyond appalled” and “bristling with anger” after learning two of her husband’s killers will be allowed to be released from prison early.
- Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were jailed for 13 years in 2020 for manslaughter over his killing, and it is understood the pair will be eligible for early release under a new government scheme.
- Mrs Harper added in a statement: “The level of disrespect the government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.”
- Justice secretary Alex Norris told Sky News: “It's not Lissie Harper's fault, and I'm sorry that she's been put into this situation as a result, I genuinely am. But this is a decision we've had to take to make sure we have a functioning prison system.”
- It comes as the prime minister has said that rapists and serious child sex offenders will be blocked from early release.
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