The editor of the Liverpool Echo has spoken out over the release from prison of the killers of James Bulger.

The parole board’s decision to release them on licence was announced at the end of last week – days after 42,000 Echo readers voted five to one in a phone poll in favour of keeping them locked up.

Editor Mark Dickinson is in a key position to gauge the city’s overwhelming feelings on the cases of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables.

He wrote: “We believe the decision of the parole board is wrong in principle and an insult to all who allowed James to touch their lives.

“Robert Thompson and Jon Venables have been released sooner than I or my readers wished.

“Lord Justice Woolf was in my view totally wrong to allow their parole application in the first place. Home Secretary David Blunkett, however, has had no option but to accept the decision to free them.

“James Bulger’s parents could and should have been much more closely involved in this whole process. Our hearts go out to Denise Fergus and to Ralph Bulger tonight.

“We now want to see a change in the law so that people like them can be more closely involved in parole hearings, as happens in so many parts of America.

“That brings benefits not only for the relatives of victims, but for those who have committed the crimes.

“It gives real healing a real chance.

“That has not happened in this case.

“Now we have to accept Thompson and Venables are free, and it is time for calm reflection from everyone.

“We have to trust that the Parole Board have got it right; that they pose no risk to society and can be rehabilitated eight years after this dreadfully shocking crime.

“We have to start thinking about how we now reach a resolution.

“But the fear is that this early release will leave a weeping sore which may never heal.

“That would not be a fitting monument in James’ memory. He deserves better than that. As do his parents.

“But we are where we are. And we must all reach into our hearts to reach a point where we agree to disagree. And move on.”

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