No 'life of luxury' for Jamie's killers

British Home Secretary David Blunkett today said James Bulger’s killers would not have a life of luxury after their release.

Mr Blunkett said he had ordered that a minimum amount of taxpayers’ money should be spent on new identities for Robert Thompson and Jon Venables.

The pair will have no help with buying houses or cars and will not be set up with credit cards or bank accounts, he said.

‘‘It is simply not true that millions of pounds are going to be spent on their rehabilitation,’’ Mr Blunkett said.

‘‘We are going to spend the minimum necessary to equip them to fend for themselves. There will be no houses, cars or credit cards.

‘‘Our concern is for the safety of the public and the safety of these young men. That is as far as it goes.’’

The Parole Board announced on Friday that Venables and Thompson, now both 18, should go free after spending eight years in secure accommodation.

James’s mother, Denise Fergus, yesterday led a convoy of lorries into the centre of Liverpool, protesting at the decision to free her son’s murderers.

She said: ‘‘These two are evil killers and I do not believe they have changed.

‘‘I just hope no one else has to suffer and pay for this dreadful mistake by the parole board.’’