James Bulger's Killer Jonathan Venables Parole Hearing Closed to Public

The Parole Board has determined that the upcoming hearing for Jonathan Venables, convicted of the 1993 murder of two-year-old James Bulger, will be held in private. This decision comes in direct opposition to the strenuous advocacy of James's mother, Denise Fergus, who had demanded a public forum for the proceedings.

Venables, alongside Robert Thompson, abducted and murdered James Bulger in Merseyside more than three decades ago. Both were granted lifelong anonymity upon their release in 2001. Venables has since been recalled to prison multiple times for possessing child abuse imagery, most recently in 2017.

Ms Fergus has consistently argued that the public has a right to scrutiny over the process, particularly given Venables' repeated re-offences. Her attempts to challenge the anonymity order and to ensure transparency in parole reviews have been a long-standing campaign.

The Parole Board's mandate dictates that hearings are typically held in private to protect the privacy and safety of all parties involved, including the prisoner and victims. While victims are permitted to submit statements and attend parts of certain hearings, the full proceedings remain confidential under current regulations.

This ruling reinforces the established procedure, maintaining the discreet nature of parole decisions for high-profile cases, often to the consternation of victims' families seeking greater accountability.