Prisoner Early Release Scheme

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Thursday 23rd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Garnier (Con)]

My Lords—

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, we will hear from the noble Baroness, Lady Foster, and then from the Conservative Benches.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, as the daughter of a police officer who was the subject of an attempted murder attack by the IRA when I was a child, and as the wife of a retired police officer, I was absolutely appalled and dismayed when I heard the news that the killers of PC Harper were to be released. I implore the Minister and the Government to look at the experience of Northern Ireland and the early release of prisoners, not just the impact on prison spaces but the impact on victims and their families, the morale of the police service and, indeed, the undermining of the justice system entirely.