Bulger hearing in private

THE PUBLIC and press will be barred from the European Court of Human Rights' review of the James Bulger murder trial.

The private hearing will take place next month after the European Commission of Human Rights ruled that the boys who killed two-year-old James, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, then aged 10, were denied a fair trial. Lawyers representing James' parents said yesterday they were disappointed they will be unable to participate directly in a public hearing, but said they had been permitted to present a written statement to the court setting out their views.

Robin Makin, who represents Ralph Bulger, the victim's father, said: "Mr Bulger is philosophical about the matter."

Leading article, Review, page 3