HOME Secretary Michael Howard's proposal that murderers of police and
prison officers should stay in prison until they die has been rejected
by a specially convened meeting of Cabinet Ministers and officials, it
emerged last night.
Mr Howard had written to the Prime Minister last week to say he wanted
Cabinet backing for an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill now before
Parliament which would ensure a life sentence for that category of
murder would mean life.
The minimum sentence served for murdering a police officer is 20
years, but Mr Howard believed this was not enough.
Mr Major was understood to be concerned the move could be
counter-productive in creating a violent category of prisoner who felt
they had nothing to lose, and could be open to challenge in the humam
rights court.
Mr Major was not on the ad hoc committee but its members decided it
would not be right to rush the measure into the Bill.
A disapppointed Mr Howard believed the proposal would have bolstered
police morale and deterred attacks on officers.
There has been growing concern after eight officers have been murdered
in the last three years and up to 20,000 injured every year.
The move was welcomed by hardliners in the Governent and by
rank-and-file officers.
However, prison officers and penal reform groups are concerned at the
likely impact on jails of killers knowing they would never be freed.
Mr Howard, who is considering police proposals for new stop-and-
search powers to counter the growing use of knives and guns as a
possible amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, was keen to emphasise
his determination to ensure officers were protected properly
Police Federation chairman Richard Coyles said they were
''disappointed'' that Ministers had decided not to pursue the proposal.
''We believe it would have sent a clear signal to criminals that
violence against police officers was not acceptable,'' he said.
''It also could have put the brakes on calls for the routine arming of
police officers because deterrent sentences could have slowed down
violence.''
Mr Geoffrey Dickens, Tory MP for Littleborough and Saddleworth,
expressed disappointment that the measure had been dropped.
''I felt, in the absence of the death penalty, it was a way of placing
a protective shield around our police officers and prison officers who
we expect to uphold law and order whilst being unarmed.
''But I think it has only been put on the backburner for a while.
Public opinion demands it.''
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