RACHEL Maclean MP has welcomed 'Harpers Law' which will see mandatory life sentences handed to anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime.

It follows a long-running campaign by the family and widow of PC Andrew Harper who was killed in the line of duty in 2019.

PC Mark Harper was 28-years-old and just about to celebrate honeymoon with new wife Lissie, when he was dragged to his death by a getaway car while answering a burglary call.

Three teenagers were jailed for manslaughter, leading to the campaign for tougher sentencing, prompting the government to commit to passing the law.

'Harper's Law' would extend mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty while carrying out another crime, unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.

It would apply to police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics.

Welcoming the government's decision, Rachel Maclean said: “Those who put their lives on the line to protect us should receive the full protection of the law and criminal justice system.

“I want to pay tribute to Lissie Harper for her extraordinary campaign on this issue following the appalling killing of her husband PC Andrew Harper.”

Courts must already impose life sentences for murder, with a whole-life order being the starting point if the victim is a police officer.