Andy Burnham accused of 'rejecting justice' over decision to release PC Andrew Harper's killers early: 'Disgraceful!'

Expressing his outrage at the decision, Mr Vickers told GB News that it is "utterly unacceptable" that those who have committed such "heinous crimes" are still being considered for early release.

He said: "For anybody who's been a victim of some of the most heinous and awful crimes like these individuals, if you've lost a family member in these circumstances, to see this Prime Minister making a decision that that person should still be released, it's just entirely unacceptable.

"Lissie Harper campaigned day and night, put herself forward to get justice for Andrew Harper. She got it, and this Government is rejecting it."

The Tory minister criticised Labour MPs for supporting the reforms, declaring the decision "disgraceful".

Matt Vickers has accused Andy Burnham of 'rejecting justice' after allowing PC Andrew Harper's killers to be released early

GB NEWS / PA

He fumed: "This Labour Government has done terrible things, but to release these people early, for those Labour MPs across the country who walked through those lobbies to support this, it is it is astounding. It is disgraceful. It is disgusting.

"He said that he's exempting serious child sexual offenders. Well, what sexual offence against a child isn't serious? And how is he going to pick?

"In my view, any sexual offence against a child is serious, any killing is serious, and those people should be locked up and follow the sentences they were given by a judge."

Challenged by host Alex Armstrong on how the Tories would fix the prisons crisis instead, Mr Vickers offered "three ways" the party could solve the problem.

He told GB News: "The first thing is to leave the ECHR and deport all foreign national offenders, that's about 10,000 prison places. The second thing is that you actually manage the process competently - you don't have 18-month delays in the building of 3,500 prison places. And the other thing you do is actually to prioritise this.

"They haven't approved any plans to build any additional prison places beyond what was already expected. Instead, they're spending money, we know where where the money's going. We are paying record levels of tax, there are less police on our streets, less teachers in our schools, less places in our prison.

"But this year, that welfare budget is going to go up by £18billion. This needs to be a priority for the Government. They need to keep the British people safe, and they need to keep these vile offenders locked up for their full sentence."

Reacting to Mr Burnham's decision, Lissie Harper said in a statement: "This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets.

"What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments.

Mr Vickers told GB News that the Tories would 'leave the ECHR and deport 10,000 foreign criminals' to free up prison spaces

GB NEWS

"The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.

"The killers of Andrew have shown no remorse... they robbed us of our future. They are vile criminals, and they should remain in jail.

"To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice. The Government and the justice system have not just let me down... they have added insult to injury. They are meant to be on our side.

"This is an utter betrayal - and it's one I will not be able to forgive or forget."