Attorney general Suella Braverman set for Court of Appeal arguing for harsher sentences for PC Andrew Harper's killers

Attorney general Suella Braverman QC, MP for Fareham, is set to argue the three killers of PC Andrew Harper should see their jail sentences increased.

But a criminal barrister turned author, known only as the Secret Barrister, has criticised the decision, first revealed by a national newspaper.

Mrs Braverman chose to conduct the case herself, alongside appointed Treasury Counsel, to ‘send a clear message that attacks against emergency workers will not be tolerated,’ a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office told The News.

Criticisms have been levelled against Mrs Braverman for making, what the Secret Barrister said would be, her debut in a criminal court.

The anonymous barrister also took aim at the nameless friend of Mrs Braverman who told the Sunday Express if bid was lost it would be another example of ‘wet, liberal judges being soft on criminals’.

On Twitter the Secret Barrister said Mrs Braverman has ‘absolutely no experience of criminal law’.

The lawyer added: ‘Treasury Counsel who usually represent the attorney general at the Court of Appeal for appeals against “unduly lenient” sentences are appointed from the best and most experienced criminal barristers.

‘The attorney general has not to my knowledge prosecuted a magistrates’ trial.’

It comes as the Court of Appeal is set to hear the bid to increase the sentences of those who killed 28-year-old PC Harper in Berkshire in August last year.

Getaway car driver Henry Long, 19, and his two passengers Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, were cleared of murder and found guilty instead of manslaughter.

In a separate bid, Long is set to appeal against his 16-year sentence, while Bowers and Cole are appealing against both their convictions and 13-year sentences.

An AGO spokesman said: ‘The attorney chose to present this case personally because she wanted to send a clear message that attacks made against emergency workers will not be tolerated and that offenders should be punished severely for such heinous crimes.’

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Mrs Braverman was called to the bar in 2005. Her legal profile lists her areas as commercial litigation, personal injury, planning, public law, regulatory, and business and property.

Law officers have previously appeared personally in cases brought under the unduly lenient scheme.

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