UK Minister Kemi Badenoch Calls for Emergency Law to Block Early Prison Releases
Conservative MPs leader Kemi Badenoch urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to revoke the commencement order for the Sentencing Act 2026 and to introduce emergency legislation before 2 September to stop the early‑release scheme. The scheme, intended to ease overcrowding, would have freed roughly 700 prisoners in its first phase and could see up to 6,000 offenders released in September, with many more eligible later. It allows inmates to leave after serving a third of their sentence rather than half, raising fears that convicted rapists, paedophiles and other violent offenders could be let out.
Burnham paused the programme after intense public pressure and a review by housing minister Sally Jameson, but has not yet revoked the commencement order or passed new legislation. Badenoch said the pause amounts to “warm words” and called for immediate action, citing the case of PC Andrew Harper, whose killers were among those at risk of early release. The dispute continues as Burnham promises further statements in the coming weeks.
Entities: Andy Burnham · Kemi Badenoch · PC Andrew Harper · Sentencing Act 2026 · United Kingdom
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Burnham has not revoked the commencement order or introduced emergency legislation. (Andy Burnham)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kemi Badenoch demanded emergency legislation to halt the early‑release scheme. (Kemi Badenoch)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prime Minister Andy Burnham paused the early‑release scheme after public pressure. (Andy Burnham)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The early‑release scheme would have freed around 700 prisoners in its first phase in September.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The family of PC Andrew Harper raised concerns that his killers might be eligible for early release.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 6,000 offenders could be released in September under the scheme.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The early‑release scheme is part of the Sentencing Act 2026.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The scheme allows some inmates to be released after serving a third of their sentence rather than half.