Calls for more information about Bulger killer’s return to jail

THE British Government last night faced growing demands to release more information about Jon Venables’ return to prison – led by victims’ rights champion Helen Newlove.

Newlove, whose husband Garry was kicked to death by a gang of yobs outside their home in Warrington in 2007, said it was cruel not to tell James Bulger’s parents the full details.

She urged the Prime Minister to think again after he and Justice Secretary Jack Straw declared the new allegations faced by the boy’s murderer must remain secret.

She said: “It is another case of the victims not coming into it and the criminals being protected.

“James’ poor mother and father have to relive what’s happened every day.

“What Jack Straw has said is ludicrous. Venables has breached his parole and should be staying in jail.

“Venables and Thompson have been given everything on a plate and now we’re not even allowed to know the circumstances surrounding this – it is a disgrace.

“Just telling the parents Venables was recalled is breadcrumbs – it is cruel not telling them more.

“It would terrify me to think he has been back to Merseyside. If you are out shopping and bump into that person it would make you physically sick and you don’t know what actions you would take.”

Venables, 27, was taken back to prison more than a week ago after reportedly fighting with a work colleague and developing a drug problem.

In 1993 he and Robert Thompson, both just 10 at the time, led James, 2, from a shopping centre on a two-mile walk to his death.

They battered the boy and left his body on a rail track for a train to cut it in two.

In 2001 they were released from life sentences and given new identities protected by an anonymity order.

Yesterday Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the public had a right to know what new allegations Venables faced.

But he was apparently slapped down by the Prime Minister yesterday, who maintained that no details would be released.

Last night pressure was mounting on the Government to change its stance after charities and opposition politicians demanded greater rights and better treatment for James’ family.

James’ mother Denise Fergus and her ex-husband found out about Venables’ recall hours before the news broke in the media.

Yesterday, the Tories demanded more details be disclosed, claiming the information was in the public interest.

Shadow Commons leader George Young asked Harriet Harman: “Do you agree with me and apparently the Home Secretary that unless there are very good reasons for keeping this information secret, it is in the public interest to know why Jon Venables has been sent back to prison?”

The Commons leader replied: “The question is the matter of the court order requiring anonymity, and I think the processes around that have got to be in compliance with the court order, which required that his identity should remain secret.”