Andy Burnham’s government is “urgently” identifying any grooming gang perpetrators who may still be eligible for early release from prison, amid concerns over a potential loophole in the system.
The Prime Minister has “personally intervened” to ensure “everything possible is being done so that vile groomers are dealt with in the way their victims deserve”, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
Around 5,000 people are expected to be released early under sentencing changes aimed at tackling prison overcrowding, down from an initial estimate of 6,000 after ministers excluded rapists and “serious” child sex offenders from the scheme.
However, critics have questioned the scope of the exemptions after The Times reported that some men convicted in historical grooming gang cases could still be eligible for early release.
Some of the offences took place before changes to sexual abuse laws in 2003, meaning some perpetrators were convicted of crimes including indecent assault, which do not fall under the exclusions for the scheme.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote to Andy Burnham on Wednesday demanding clarity over which offences would be eligible for early release, accusing the government of “yet another betrayal of victims”.
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson for the prime minister said: “As part of the review of sentences, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Justice to conduct an in-depth review of cases to ensure that grooming cases were identified.
“This work is happening urgently. This is extremely important to the PM and he has personally intervened to ensure everything possible is being done so that vile groomers are dealt with in the way their victims deserve.”
Badenoch responded: “Another U-turn secured… and another review from Burnham following my letter.”
She added: “How many more reviews do we need before Andy Burnham does the commonsense thing and bans all of these monsters from early release?
“The brave survivors have been put through hell by this process. They deserve so much better.”
The scheme, which begins in October, has been under scrutiny, as it could see the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers could be freed halfway through their 13-year sentences for manslaughter following the officer’s death in 2019.
PC Harper sustained fatal injuries after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and being dragged down a country road as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.
The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence and will not be eligible for release under the scheme.
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