Matthew Barber said: “It is entirely possible for the Government to frame legislation that would exempt the killers of emergency service workers from the provisions of the Sentencing Act.”

At the time of writing the petition calling on the Government to stop the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers has reached 836,314. The number continues to grow and it seems safe to assume that the petition launched by the Thames Valley Police Federation will soon reach one million signatures.

PC Andrew Harper was killed in the line of duty just seven years ago. Andy Burnham promised action to prevent the early release of two of his killers and Andrew’s family, colleagues and the public he served will be rightly disappointed by the failure to act.

“The killers of Andrew Harper should remain in prison and should not be released early.” That is the simple message from Matthew Barber.

The Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner has written to the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor urging the Government to consider emergency legislation to prevent the early release of two of the men responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper under the Sentencing Act 2026.