英国司法部长为政府的早期释放计划进行了辩护，该计划涉及已故警察安德鲁·哈珀案的两名杀手。司法部长表示"我们理解人们的愤怒。哈珀家族当然很愤怒。警察也很愤怒。"[1]，同时承认了哈珀家族遭受的"难以想象的痛苦"。
尽管面临公众和警方的强烈不满，司法部长声称政府处于"不得已的处境"，强调需要维持"可持续的监狱系统"以支撑法治。[1]警察联盟对这两名杀手可能在数周内被释放的前景感到"撕裂般的痛苦"。[1]据报道，警察联盟可能对该释放决定提出法律挑战。[1]
Britain's Justice Minister Jake Richard has defended the government's plan to release prisoners early, including the killers of Police Constable Andrew Harper, acknowledging the "unimaginable suffering" experienced by Harper's family while arguing the state faces a difficult situation.[1] Richard stated: "We understand people's anger. Harper's family are certainly angry. The police are angry."[1] He emphasized that the government must maintain a sustainable prison system to uphold the rule of law, describing the predicament as one of necessity rather than choice.[1]
The early release scheme has triggered significant opposition from law enforcement. The Police Federation has indicated its members feel "torn apart" by the prospect of the two killers being released within weeks, and the union is considering launching a legal challenge to block the decision.[1]