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The father of murdered toddler James Bulger has launched a furious condemnation of the Parole Board’s decision to hold his son’s killer’s latest parole hearing behind closed doors, calling the move an “insult” to his child’s legacy. Jon Venables, who tortured and murdered the two-year-old in 1993, will face a private oral hearing in coming weeks—a ruling that has sparked outrage among those advocating for transparency in the justice system. Ralph Bulger, 59, told The Sun on Sunday that the move felt like a betrayal, stating, “Our feelings and emotions don’t matter to faceless parole chiefs, although we were given assurances we could attend. It’s an insult and like trampling over James’s grave.” His words echo a deeper anguish felt by a family forever scarred by the atrocities committed by two 10-year-old boys.
Family’s Outcry Over Closed Hearing
James’s mother, Denise Fergus, has long argued that a public hearing would combat misinformation surrounding the case and provide closure for those affected. She previously emphasized that secrecy risks retraumatising victims’ families and obscuring the complexities of the parole process. “A public hearing could improve general understanding of how these decisions are made,” she said. “It would finally make me feel listened to.” Yet the Parole Board dismissed these appeals, citing safety concerns. They warned that exposing Venables to public scrutiny could make him a target for those seeking to exploit his notoriety, potentially leading to his assassination.
Parole Board’s Safety Concerns
The Board’s stance underscores a delicate balance between transparency and protection. While such hearings are typically private, they can be opened in the “interests of justice.” However, officials have repeatedly stressed that Venables’ safety cannot be compromised. “He remains a high-risk individual,” a spokesperson stated. “Allowing public access would create vulnerabilities that could endanger not just him but others.” This reasoning mirrors the 2023 decision to deny Venables’ parole bid, where judges concluded he still posed a “significant risk to children.” The Board’s reluctance to grant public access reflects a broader trend of prioritising security over openness in high-profile cases.
History of Venables’ Parole Hearings
Venables’ path to freedom has been a contentious journey marked by repeated setbacks. After his initial 1994 conviction, he was released on licence in 2001 but recalled to prison in 2010 when indecent images of children were discovered on his devices. A second release followed in 2013, only to be revoked in 2017 for similar offences. His most recent hearing in 2020 saw parole judges once again deem him unsuitable for release, citing ongoing risks. Despite these findings, the family argues that the process lacks accountability. “Every time, it’s the same story—Venables walks free, and we’re left with nothing,” Ralph Bulger lamented.
Political and Public Pressure
The controversy has reignited calls for greater oversight of the Parole Board’s decisions. Labour MP Andy Burnham, who chairs the Home Affairs Select Committee, has previously urged the government to intervene if Venables’ release is imminent. “The public deserves answers,” Burnham stated in 2023. “When a child’s life is at stake, transparency isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.” Advocates for victims’ rights have echoed these sentiments, arguing that closed hearings erode trust in an already strained system. Meanwhile, media organisations have joined the push for openness, citing the public’s right to witness the deliberations that determine life-altering outcomes.
Why it Matters
The Bulger case remains one of Britain’s most harrowing reminders of childhood violence and the long shadows it casts. While the Parole Board’s focus on Venables’ safety is understandable, the decision to exclude the public and media risks perpetuating a cycle of secrecy and distrust. For James’s family, the fight is not just about their son’s memory but about ensuring that justice is visible, accountable, and unyielding in its protection of society’s most vulnerable. As debates over transparency and safety collide, the stakes are nothing less than the integrity of the justice system itself.
