The Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP is a member of the Home Office team, and had raised the issue with Police Minister Mike Penning, encouraging him to take action, and was delighted when their colleague Richard Graham (Conservative, Gloucester) secured a debate in the House of Commons.
Steve Brine said: "As a PPS within the Home Office, the convention is that I could not speak, but I have been very busy behind the scenes with Mr Penning and Mr Graham to right what for me is a very clear wrong."
Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Penning said: "We are now at an important stage. We are analysing the implications in cost terms and any impact on other schemes that might be affected... The compelling case that has been put forward by colleagues today, as well as by others, and the nature, tone and empathy of the campaign, have been enormously helpful to me as a Minister and to the Home Secretary, enabling us to acknowledge the "compelling" case—the first time such language has been used."
The debate was watched by a number of police widows and widowers in the public gallery, and followed by many who could make it, including Kerry Rawson, from Sparsholt, who lost her husband Steve in 2013.
Mr Brine continued: "I was delighted to see so much support today, and was also able to raise the issue this evening with George Osborne, as he prepares for the Budget in March."
Pictured; Steve Brine and Richard Graham join police widows and widowers outside the Commons, with Police Minister Mike Penning on the right
More information ...
READ back the debate via Hansard
WATCH the session back via Parliament TV
READ more about Steve's campaign