An Identity Crisis?

It was Harold Wilson who said, famously, that a week is a long time in politics. And, if I may begin a sentence with a conjunction, this last week has certainly seemed a long time. So many things have happened, some very depressing.

One matter, which is certainly depressing for all those involved, concerns the politics of justice. This week, John Venables, who with Robert Thompson was responsible for the brutal murder of 2 year old Jamie Bulger in 1993, was recalled to prison for having breached the terms of his licence. We don't yet know why he was recalled but several newspapers have reported some claims, which, if true, are quite astonishing. Dealing with Venables and Thompson has so far cost us, the tax-payers, in excess of £4.5 million. This is way beyond anything that would be spent on a victim of crime and we have to consider if it is beyond all reason - especially so if, as now seems likely, it has been for John Venables completely unproductive. He was, apparently, mollycoddled through the prison system, living in very comfortable conditions, given a private education - it all cost more than sending him to Eton - and allowing him out on occasions to go to football matches, etc. As an essential part of his release into society at large, his true identity has been hidden and we have created for him a new virtual reality of a life complete with new documents and new name. The system demands that, in order to maintain his new identity, it is crucial that no one outside of a very select few knows the truth. Now we are being told that, since his release in 2001, Venables has been picked up several times by the police for drugs offences, that he has worked as a bouncer - with police and his employers kept in the dark about his real background - and that he has now been arrested following a serious incident. The Home Secretary and the Justice Secretary seem to have commented on the case without talking to each other - which says something about joined up government - and we are told by the liberals of the beans and sandals variety that we must allow matters to take their course.

I took the view in 1993, when Michael Howard said that these two murderers should be locked up for a minimum of 15 years [subsequently reduced to eight years by the Court of Appeal] that we should lock them up and throw the key away. The Establishment took the view that this was unacceptable when the crime was committed by 10 year-olds. Perhaps they are right, but all the signs at this moment are that Venables, at least, will ultimately be locked up for ever. When we will know the full story is difficult to say but the situation is sufficiently so serious that the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, is going to talk to the family of James Bulger. I think we can take it as read that he would not be doing this if Venables had been recalled for a mere technical infringement of the terms of his licence.

At this present time, there are only four people living in this country who have been given new identities following their involvements in serious crimes and it seems that Venables is the only case that has unravelled. Let us hope that there are no more nasty developments.

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