The Justice Secretary has again spoken to the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, as new developments emerged in the case his killer Jon Venables.
Jack Straw made a personal phone call to Denise Fergus at her home in Kirkby before the Parole Board revealed that it will handle the Venables case in the "normal way".
A file on the Venables case has been passed to the Parole Board, which will ultimately consider when he should be released from prison.
Venables and Robert Thompson, were both aged ten when they abducted and murdered James, 2, from a shopping centre in Merseyside in February 1993.
In late February this year it emerged that Venables, now aged 27 and living under a new identity, had been "recalled to custody" for alleged breaches of his parole licence.
He remains in jail pending police investigations into the allegations that he was found with child sex abuse images on his computer,
James' mother Denise Fergus met Jack Straw to discuss the case last month.
She confirmed that she received a pre-arranged "update" telephone call from Jack Straw this morning (1st April) at her home in Kirkby, Merseyside.
Mother-of-three Denise, 42, said: "Mr Straw has called to tell me about progress in the case.
"He explained that there would be an announcement from the Parole Board and that it was normal procedure to refer the file in this way.
"I feel re-assured that the investigation is being examined thoroughly and I understand that the police investigation may take some time.
"Mr Straw has promised to keep me posted about future decisions and developments and I'm content with that.
"I've waited seventeen years to see justice done for James' murder and I'm prepared to wait a while longer to see what happens in this new investigation."
In a statement the Parole Board said its process was likely to take many months.
But it was stressed that the review of his parole licence will not be concluded until the end of any criminal proceedings against which "take precedence".
The Parole Board spokesman said: "The Ministry of Justice has today referred the case of Jon Venables to the Parole Board for us to review his continued detention as required by the Directions to the Parole Board under Section 32(6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
"The Parole Board will now start the process of reviewing this case in the normal way.
"We are not able to set a timescale on the review, but will confirm when it has been concluded."
A Parole Board chaired by a judge, with member of the public and a psychologist or psychiatrist will examine reports on Venables.
They will look at the "index offence" - the murder of James Bulger - and his behaviour since he was released from prison in 2001.
They will take evidence from the probation officers in charge of his case and also hear from members of James Bulger's family.
The process will culminate in a hearing at which his case is scrutinised and a decision made on whether he no longer presents a risk to the public and can again be released on a life licence.
ends
Jessica, Merseyside around 2 years, 1 month ago