James Bulger: Jon Venables parole hearing to be held in private

One of the two killers of James Bulger has been granted a private hearing to decide whether he should be released from prison.

It means Jon Venables' hearing before a Parole Board panel next month will take place behind closed doors.

The board will decide if Venables is safe to live in the community or whether he must remain in jail.

The plan for a private hearing was challenged by journalists and James' mother, who argued it should be public.

BBC News was among those who asked for the hearing to be held publicly, arguing there was legitimate public interest in how Venables would be managed in the community.

Jon Venables was 10-years-old when he and Robert Thompson murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993.

He spent eight years in jail before being released on a strict licence - but in 2017 he was jailed again after child abuse images were found on his computer. In 2020, the Parole Board rejected his last application to be released.

Caroline Corby, chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales, said that while she had "deep sympathy" for Jon Venables' victims, the hearing must take place in private.

"The Panel will need to hear about Jon Venables' past, present and future life," she said.

"The Panel will need to question witnesses in detail, including Jon Venables, if he is willing to give evidence.

"In order to respect the injunction, substantial parts of the evidence would need to be held in private including evidence which is likely to be fundamental to the decision of the Panel."

Venables is protected by a lifelong anonymity order.

The High Court ruled in 2001 that his new identity must remain secret amid concerns that his life would be in danger were his whereabouts to become public knowledge.

Mrs Corby continued: "In circumstances where evidence which is likely to be critical to the Panel's decision cannot be heard in public, it is difficult to see how a public hearing would aid transparency or public understanding of the parole system or the decision in this case."

• James Bulger's mum 'shocked' about killer's parole hearing

She added that even if parts of the hearing were held in public, "there is a risk that some information could inadvertently be revealed, putting Jon Venables at risk", and also break the lifelong anonymity order that protects his new identity.

"If the hearing were in public, the Panel may not be able to take best evidence which could impact on the fairness of the hearing. Although Jon Venables has had previous court hearings held in public when he pleaded guilty to the offences for which he was recalled, these proceedings were very different in nature to a parole hearing."

James' mother, Denise Fergus, said last month that she was "shocked" and "deeply concerned" about Venables' potential release.

Kym Morris, chair of the James Bulger Memorial Trust, suggested the parole hearing decision was not surprising - but said Ms Fergus is "obviously disappointed".

A statement issued on behalf of James' mother continued: "While the parole process is complex, it is imperative that the upcoming private parole hearing thoroughly assesses whether Venables is safe to be released.

"The public deserves to know that measures are being taken to protect society from individuals who have shown a propensity for reoffending."

Ms Fergus also argued that Venables "poses a great risk to the public and has a clear disregard for the safety of others."