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Andy Burnham will review the previous government’s early release scheme following backlash over the early release of two of the perpetrators in the killing of police officer Andrew Harper.
The prime minister said he wants to make sure “everything has been looked at” before the policy goes ahead.
It comes after the mother of police officer Andrew Harper – who was 28 years old when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019 – said it feels like an “insult” that two of her son’s killers may be eligible for early release from prison.
He died after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.
Earlier on Wednesday, transport secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that the driver of the car would not be eligible for automatic release, although his two passengers could be eligible to get out halfway through their sentences.
Speaking to reporters in Bath, the prime minister said: “All I can say is I will review the whole of this policy. Nobody can deny the pressure on prison places.
“We did not invest in the prison estate when we should as a country, going back a decade or so ago, when it was clear that there was going to be pressure. That has created an unacceptable situation now.
“But I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds, and I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the justice secretary.
“I can’t say that I can’t change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward.”
It comes after the prime minister’s spokesperson on Tuesday indicated that a number of key policies introduced by Sir Keir Starmer would be under review, including the early release of prisoners, the plan to scrap some jury trials and the deal to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.
“The prime minister has been in the door of No 10 just over 24 hours and he’s still making appointments to his government so we will update on policy areas in due course”, his spokesperson said.
Referring to concerns from the family of PC Harper about early release of two of his killers, the new prime minister said: “I feel for the family, it’s an appalling crime that was committed. The main perpetrator will not be subject to any early release. Of course, others involved have potentially been identified.
“But I’ve spoken to the new justice secretary. He will review the policy together and make further statements in due course.”
Earlier on Wednesday, defence secretary Wes Streeting was forced to apologise after he was caught on camera joking about the scheme.
In a video, published by the news website Guido Fawkes, new justice secretary Alex Norris can be seen walking towards Mr Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Mr Streeting can then be heard calling Mr Norris “the enemy now”, adding: “He wants to let them all out”.
He later apologised, saying: “I hope everyone can see there was no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new justice secretary – it was a reference to an old May/Clarke joke.
“But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity.”
Asked if it was acceptable for members of his Cabinet to joke about early release, Mr Burnham said: “No, it’s not, and certainly that’s been acknowledged, and apologies have been made.”
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