# UK minister backs early release of officer's killers despite legal threat

The UK justice minister defended the early release of the men convicted of killing police officer Andrew Harper, even as a possible legal challenge looms. The controversy highlights public anger over sentencing and the government's stance on parole decisions.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/aug/05/pc-andrew-harper-police-prisoner-early-release-andy-burnham-kemi-badenoch-labour-conservatives-uk-politics-latest-news-updates) — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:41:23 GMT
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/aug/05/threat-of-legal-action-if-pc-andrew-harpers-killers-are-released-early) — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:51:04 GMT