Venables was 'trivial' risk: Report

The account, seen by the Times, formed part of the legal case for Venables' release under a new identity. Prepared in 2000, it states "the risks to the public are so trivial that, strictly in relation to that perspective, immediate release would be justified".

The document also revealed that Venables had "come to terms" with the killing of the toddler.

It reads: "The Jon Venables of today is a very different person to the Jon Venables aged 10. It has been a very important part of his rehabilitation so far that he has come to terms in a wholly realistic way with the awfulness of his behaviour eight years ago."

On Monday, the judge who granted Venables' anonymity warned he could be murdered by vigilantes if his new identity is revealed.

Both Baroness Butler-Sloss and Justice Secretary Jack Straw defended the need for secrecy amid growing public pressure and a direct appeal from the toddler's mother for more details about why Venables, 27, was sent back to jail.

Denise Fergus on Monday appeared on This Morning to accuse the Government of treating the issue like a political football and of closing doors in her face.

Lady Butler-Sloss, the former president of the High Court's family division who granted Venables anonymity on his release from prison, stressed "the enormous importance of protecting his anonymity now and if he is released because those who wanted to kill him in 2001 are likely to be out there now".

Giving her backing to Mr Straw's decision, the crossbench peer, who retired as a judge in 2005, told peers that ministers must "take into account" the enormous importance of protecting Venables' anonymity.

She said: "This young man may or may not be tried. He may or may not have committed offences. There is, of course, at least the possibility that he has committed no offence. And consequently, he may therefore be allowed again to be out (of jail) on licence."