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.''