Jack Straw refuses to reveal more details on Bulger killer

• Jon Venables has his mugshot taken in 1993. There are fears his release was a mistake. Picture: Getty Images

Venables, who was convicted of the murder of James Bulger in 1993, was recalled following "extremely serious" allegations, Mr Straw said in response to an urgent question in the Commons.

Mr Straw indicated earlier today that he might break his silence on the reason for the recall but told the Commons "this would not presently be in the interests of justice".

The Justice Secretary said he understood the "frustration" of James's mother Denise Fergus – but mistakenly referred to her as "Mrs Ferguson" in his statement.

Venables and Robert Thompson, both just 10 at the time, snatched James from the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Liverpool, in 1993.

They walked him more than two miles to a railway line, where they beat him to death and left his body on the tracks to be hit by a train.

The pair were released on life licence in 2001 under new identities.

Since it was revealed that Venables had allegedly breached his licence conditions, there have been numerous reports about the reason he was recalled to custody, including claims that he possessed child pornography.

Mr Straw told MPs: "During the week beginning February 22 this year, officials in my department learnt of a compromise of Venables' new identity.

"Subsequently, information came to light that Venables may have committed a serious breach of his licence conditions.

"He was recalled to custody the same day and has since remained in prison. A parole board hearing will be held as soon as practicable."

Mr Straw said full details of the allegations had not been provided "because the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions have advised that a premature disclosure of information could undermine the integrity of the criminal justice process", including any potential prosecution.

The Justice Secretary was speaking after Mrs Fergus told ITV's This Morning she was "all over the place" after her son's killer was recalled to prison.

Mr Straw said: "I fully understand the concern of James Bulger's parents and the wider public about this case and indeed the frustration voiced by James' mother Mrs Ferguson that insufficient information has been provided to her.

"As I indicated earlier today, I have been giving further active consideration as to whether it would be appropriate to provide more information.

"But, in the event, I have concluded this would not presently be in the interests of justice."

Explaining his decision, Mr Straw said: "It is critical that if charges do follow, it is possible to hold a fair trial – fair for the defence and fair for the prosecution."

The motivation was to ensure "extremely serious allegations are properly investigated" and that "justice is done".

He added: "No one in this country would want anything other."

If any offender on a life licence was charged with a further serious offence, there would be a "thorough review" of the supervision he was under, Mr Straw said.

Under questioning from MPs, Mr Straw said he had seen "no allegations" that Venables had been involved in any incident in which anyone had been killed or seriously injured.