Straw defies calls for details on Bulger killer
Mr Straw defended the need for secrecy, just hours after Denise Fergus made a public plea to know why Jon Venables was recalled to custody.
Speaking on This Morning yesterday, she accused the Government of treating the issue like a political football and of closing doors in her face. However, in a Commons statement, Mr Straw said releasing further information was “not in the interests of justice” because it could threaten the fairness of any future trial.
He also revealed details of the alleged breach of licence conditions came to light after officials were told that Venables’ new identity had been compromised.
According to reports, 27-year-old Venables, who was 10 when he and Robert Thompson carried out the brutal killing in Bootle, Merseyside, is being investigated by police over allegations he was looking at child pornography.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Straw had hinted he could release more information, but addressing MPs he said: “I fully understand the concern of James Bulger’s parents and the wider public about this case, and indeed the frustration voiced by James’ mother, Mrs Fergus, that insufficient information has been provided to her.
“As I indicated earlier today, I have been giving further active consideration as to whether it would be appropriate to provide more information. But I have concluded that this would not presently be in the interests of justice.
“It is critical that, if charges do follow, it is possible to hold a fair trial – fair for the defence and fair for the prosecution.”
Mrs Fergus, who was supported by her husband, Stuart, told presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby the days after learning news of Venables’ return had been a “massive rollercoaster”.
She confirmed she found out about Venables’ recall last Tuesday when officials visited her home in Kirkby, Merseyside.
“It has been up and down. I have been very emotional. My head has been all over the place. I don’t know what he has done.
“I don’t know whether he has gone on to kill someone else. I have had sleepless nights and I am not eating again – I have had to pull my kids out of school. It is just one massive rollercoaster again for me. And I can’t believe that they are putting me through this.
“Any question I have asked them, I have had no answers and it’s about time now I got some answers.
“I am sick of them closing doors in my face. It’s about time they started telling me what I think I should know.”
She said that, if Venables is charged and tried, she would like to be in court but said she feared a cover-up.
“The Government just don’t know how to handle this now,” she added. “Because this is so big again, the Government are just treating it like a football, kicking it to one another.”
Mr Straw indicated there would be a major inquiry if Venables was charged with another serious crime.
He told the Commons: “If any offender on a life licence is charged with a serious further offence, a thorough review of the supervision must be carried out.”
Mrs Fergus is due to meet Mr Straw later this week.
Venables and Thompson were released with new identities in 2001, having served eight years for the murder. They are on life licence, meaning they can be brought back to prison at any time if they re-offend or if they are thought to pose a threat to the public.
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