PC Andrew Harper's Killers to Remain in Prison: Angela Rayner Announces No10's Policy Reversal After 'Solution Found'

PC ANDREW Harper’s killers will be kept in prison, as Angela Rayner confirms No10 U-turn after a “solution” was identified.

The government previously claimed it would reportedly face legal challenges if it tried to block the release of halfway through their 13-year jail terms.

Angela Rayner this morning confirmed a solution had been found to keep Bowers and Cole behind bars Credit: PA Justice Secretary Alex Norris is set to lay out plans to keep the duo behind bars Credit: Getty

But a government spokesperson said last night that the new PM asked Justice Secretary Alex Norris to find a way to keep the pair locked up.

Prime Minister is understood to be opposed to the early release of the thugs.

Bowers and Cole could be let out in January under Labour plans to release up to 5,000 prisoners over ten months from October.

Andy Burnham yesterday urged the Justice Secretary to “work through further options” to stop their release, a minister has suggested.

PC Andrew Harper’s widow says she is ‘disgusted’ his killers are going to be freed Credit: PA Andrew Harper’s killers are two of just 950 lags locked up for manslaughter in the UK Credit: PA

This morning, a way to stop PC Andrew Harper’s killers being released early from prison has been “identified”, a communities minister told Times Radio.

Sally Jameson said the Prime Minister has found a solution to the problem.

He told Times Radio: “He’s looking for solutions, and a solution’s been identified.

“I mean, it is tricky because of how sentencing works and the sentence that was handed down to those particular offenders, and we’ve got to find a way that makes sure we stop those getting out whilst also recognising that in relation to other offenders.”

Alex Norris is now expected to set out the steps the government will take to exempt the duo from the early release scheme.

Angela Rayner today said the Justice Secretary would set out the government’s plan to exempt Cole and Bowers from early release when parliament returns in September.

Speaking to LBC, Ms Rayner said: “The Prime Minister is really clear, the Justice Secretary will come to Parliament in September to lay out our plans on how we keep the most serious criminals in jail.

“The Prime Minister is really clear that these people that have created the most abhorrent crimes should not be released early and that he wants to set out in September with the Justice Secretary how we can resolve this issue.”

It comes amid increasing pressure from PC Harper’s family and the police not to allow Bowers and Cole to be freed.