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In the years since several Britons have been charged with breaching the injunction preventing the publication of details about Venables’ and Thompson’s new lives, and the U.K. government has had to create new identities for the two. In March of this year, British actress Tina Malone received an eight-month suspended sentence for posting details of Venables’ identity to Facebook; the same month, Bulger’s father lost a legal challenge that attempted to overturn the order protecting Venables’ anonymity.

Several U.K. newspapers reported that Venables is preparing for a new life in either Canada, New Zealand or Australia

On Monday several U.K. newspapers reported that Venables is preparing for a new life in either Canada, New Zealand or Australia, and that the cost and complication of creating new identities for the child killer was a factor in the decision to relocate him abroad.

Privacy regulations prevent the Canadian government from commenting on the specific case but a statement issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said that people who have been found to have committed a crime elsewhere may not be admissible to Canada.

Privately, an official made clear that one of Britain’s most reviled criminals is not coming to Canada. “The reality is he (Venables) won’t get into the country. At the end of the day, protecting citizens of our country is the foremost thing. He represents a threat to national security,” said the official.

A formal application has not been received by the government but the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act stipulates that foreign nationals are inadmissible in cases of serious criminality.

But that may prove wishful thinking on the part of British officials. Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, told a press conference that she had seen press reports about Venables. “I’m advised that Immigration New Zealand have not received anything official. Of course, because of his existing convictions, he would need an exemption (under the country’s immigration act). My advice would be: don’t bother applying.”

• Email: jivison@nationalpost.com | Twitter: IvisonJ