Paper told to justify Bulger article

The paper could face contempt proceedings

The Attorney General has written to the Manchester Evening News's editor demanding to know why the paper printed details concerning the whereabouts of James Bulger's killers.

Lord Goldsmith said he believed the newspaper was in breach of a High Court injunction to protect the anonymity of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, who are now living under new names.

The Manchester Evening News published information on Thompson and Venables on Friday, just hours after the Parole Board ruled the two teenagers could be released from secure accommodation.

The newspaper, which removed the article from later editions and from its website, said it "would never knowingly breach an injunction".

A strict ruling is in place banning the release of any details about the boys, both now 18, that is likely to lead to their identification.

Vigilante fears

The move is aimed at preventing any possible revenge attacks.

A spokesman for the Attorney General's office said: "We have decided to go ahead and ask them for legal representations as to why, in our opinion, they have breached the injunction.

James Bulger was battered to death

"We have asked them for representations about why they did what they did.

"We are hoping to hear back from them as soon as possible."

Under the Contempt of Court Act, if proceedings go ahead the newspaper could face an unlimited fine and its editor could be jailed.

Many legal observers are seeing the Manchester Evening News case as a "test" of the authorities' determination to protect the boys.

Mother 'betrayed'

Meanwhile the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has told of her tortured life since learning of the imminent release of her son's killers.

An angry Denise Fergus said she had been unable to eat or sleep properly since discovering Robert Thompson and Jon Venables will soon be free, following last week's Parole Board hearings.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Mrs Fergus said her deep fear of James's killers had been reinforced since last Friday's ruling.

James' mother has demanded 24-hour protection

She said: "The last few days I've just felt betrayed and numb.

"Before they were let out I knew where they were and I felt safe, but now I don't know where they are living.

"I think I'm in danger because they know how hard I fought to keep them locked up.... I know they'll kill again."

Her former husband - James's father, Ralph Bulger has appealed for calm in the light of their pending release.

Restraint

Speaking to The Mirror newspaper, he called for "restraint" and "time to reflect" after the release of his son's killers.

He is concerned that innocent people could be caught up in any vigilante action to avenge his murdered son.

The anonymity ruling applies only to England and Wales - not Scotland, the foreign press or, arguably, the internet.

Lawyers for the pair have warned that a "jigsaw" of details could build up, allowing anyone hunting the boys to work out where they were living.

The Home Secretary David Blunkett warned on Sunday that people should not provide the "emotional adrenaline" which could lead to vigilante attacks.

"We are not in the Mid West in the mid-19th century, we are in Britain in the 21st century and we will deal with things effectively and we will deal with them in a civilised manner," Mr Blunkett said.