United Outrage Over Alan Henning Murder

Condemnation of Alan Henning's murder has been swift and fierce, with the Prime Minister calling the killing "repulsive" and Muslim leaders labelling it "despicable and offensive".

David Cameron said the beheading shows "just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are" and vowed to "hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice".

"My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan's wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him," said Mr Cameron, who has just increased the jets targeting IS in Iraq from six to eight.

Labour leader Ed Miliband described the killing as "appalling and barbaric", while Deputy PM Nick Clegg said the UK was "resolved to defeat this evil".

RAF jets this week launched their first attacks against IS positions in Iraq after MPs voted overwhelmingly for military action.

Alan Henning went on several aid trips to Syria

They have carried out strikes against IS targets on four missions, destroying vehicles, command and control positions and machine gun posts.

Outspoken Respect MP George Galloway also took to Twitter to condemn what he described as "a depraved Satanic act committed by devils in human form".

Video: Islamic State: Audio Of Threat

President Barack Obama, who has seen two of his own citizens killed on camera by a masked IS militant, led international revulsion, condemning the "brutal murder".

"Standing together with our UK friends and allies, we will work to bring the perpetrators of Alan's murder - as well as the murders of Jim Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines - to justice."

He added: "Mr Henning worked to help improve the lives of the Syrian people and his death is a great loss for them, for his family and the people of the United Kingdom,"

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said he was "outraged by the heinous crime" and vowed that his country would continue their own airstrikes against IS.

Senior Muslim figures in the UK, whose direct appeals to the terror group to free Mr Henning fell on deaf ears, also hit out at the killing, labelling the group as having "no regard for Islam".

"It is quite clear that the murderers of Alan Henning have no regard ... for the Muslims around the world who pleaded for his life," said Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Video: Wife Pleads For Henning's Release

"Alan was a friend of Muslims, and he will be mourned by Muslims," he added.

"They are nothing but criminals," said Sughra Amed, the President of the Islamic Society of Britain.

She told Sky News: "Every Muslim I know, or have come across, or have seen commenting on this in the public eye has said exactly that."

Video: 'Another Example Of IS Brutality'

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PM Vows To 'Hunt Down' Alan Henning Murderers

David Cameron has promised to hunt down the terrorist murderers of the aid worker Alan Henning after jihadists posted video of him being beheaded online.

The Prime Minister said the murder was "brutal" and revealed "just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are".

A video lasting one minute and 11 seconds and titled Another Message To America And It's Allies, was posted on YouTube on Friday evening.

It shows Mr Henning, a taxi-driver who was captured on an aid mission in Syria in December, kneeling in front of a knife-wielding militant in a desert setting before being beheaded in front of the camera.

The masked killer, who speaks with a British accent and is believed to be the man responsible for previous beheadings, makes a direct statement to Mr Cameron: "The blood of David Haines was on your hands, Cameron. Alan Henning will also be slaughtered, but his blood is on the hands of the British Parliament."

Video: IS Hostage Alan Henning Beheaded

At the end of the video another hostage - a former US soldier - is paraded in front of the cameras.

The hostage is believed to be Peter Edward Kassig who had returned to the region as a charity worker, after serving in Iraq in 2007.

The militant in the video says Mr Kassig will be the next victim. 

Video: Islamic State: Audio Of Threat

Mr Cameron, who is meeting at Chequers with officials from the Foreign Office, intelligence agencies and the military, said: "The brutal murder of Alan Henning by ISIL shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are.

"My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan's wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him.

"Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need.

Video: Terry Waite: Beheading 'Tragic'

"The fact that he was taken hostage when trying to help others and now murdered demonstrates that there are no limits to the depravity of these ISIL terrorists.

"We will do all we can to hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice."

US President Barack Obama condemned the "brutal" murder, saying the US would bring those responsible to justice.

Video: Eccles Pastor: "It's Gut-wrenching"

"Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, we will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL," he said in a statement.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg wrote on Twitter: "Barbaric actions of ISIL are held in complete contempt. We are resolved to defeat this evil."

Labour leader Ed Miliband described Mr Henning's murder as appalling and barbaric.

Video: Family Appeals 'Were Last Resort'

"He was an aid worker, helping those in need. Those who killed him have revealed only their lack of humanity and brutality.

"My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his wife Barbara, his children and all those who knew him."

"We will do everything we can to support the efforts of the Government to bring those guilty of this terrible act to justice."

Video: Alan Henning 'Was Clearly Innocent'

British Muslims also joined condemnation of the murder as a "despicable and offensive act" which showed IS had "no regard for Islam".

Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Alan was a friend of Muslims, and he will be mourned by Muslims.

"Alan Henning's murderers have clearly gone against that spirit of Islam. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Video: 'IS Call To Send Ground Troops'

Mr Henning was previously seen at the end of a video released last month following the beheading of fellow British captive David Haines.

Mr Haines' brother, Mike, wrote on Facebook on Friday night: "Tonight saw the death of Alan Henning at the hands of ISIL. Alan like David had a proven history of humanitarian work. Our hearts and prayers go to his family, our love too."

Meanwhile, another video has emerged purportedly showing a wounded Islamic State fighter with a British accent.

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

In the video the fighter taunts Mr Cameron and other coalition leaders to send troops on the ground rather than "bomb us from the skies".

The footage has not been authenticated, and it is not clear when or where it was filmed.

:: Full coverage now on Sky News – watch Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.

Video: Wife Pleaded For Henning's Release

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Eccles Wakes Up To 'Gut-Wrenching News'

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

In the Greater Manchester street where Alan Henning lived the number of yellow ribbons have been growing steadily in the past few weeks.

They are tied to gates, lampposts and door-knockers in an expression of community solidarity with the taxi driver's family.

Bill Green, pastor in Mr Henning's home town of Eccles, told Sky News: "Eccles is waking up to this horrific news this morning and I think the community is going to be devastated. It is a close knit community, especially where Alan and his family lived." He said the news was "gut-wrenching".

Mrs Henning pleaded with IS militants to spare her husband's life

One neighbour told Sky News: "We feel so helpless but the least we can do is let Alan's wife and children know our hearts are with them."

Few words or gestures can provide comfort to the family of the father-of-two now, but so deep is the sense of local support that they are sure to be surrounded by heartfelt goodwill and sympathy.

Video: Family Appeals 'Were Last Resort'

Just days ago Mr Henning's wife Barbara made a direct appeal to his captors to spare her husband's life. 

Her plea came after she had received an audio message in which her husband begged for his life.

Mrs Henning said: "I ask Islamic State please release him, we need him back home."

Video: Brit IS Hostage Had 'Heart Of Gold'

She added: "Some say wrong time, wrong place. Alan was volunteering with his Muslim friends to help the people of Syria. He was in the right place doing the right thing."

Mrs Henning said the family were at a loss as to why those leading IS could not open their hearts and minds to the truth about Alan's humanitarian motives for going to Syria.

She told news channels: "Surely those who wish to be seen as a state will act in a statesmanlike way by showing mercy and providing clemency."

Video: IS Hostage Alan Henning Beheaded

A few days earlier in 47-year-old Mr Henning's home town of Eccles, hundreds of people gathered for a prayer vigil in the local town hall.

At the event he was described as a compassionate and caring man who was willing to give up his own family Christmas to help others less fortunate in Syria.

Many signed a book of prayers for his family. 

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

On the same evening a group of friends and neighbours gathered in the darkness on a nearby recreation ground.

They stood in silence as the name "Alan" was formed in candles on the ground.

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Thai Murders: Suspects Stage Reconstruction

Two Burmese workers who have confessed to the murders of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller have visted the scene of the crime.

Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, died from head wounds on Sairee beach last month.

Their semi-naked bodies were found on the southern island of Koh Tao, near where they were staying, in the early hours of September 15.

A blood-stained garden hoe, which is thought to be the murder weapon, was discovered nearby.

David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were killed last month

Footage shows the handcuffed suspects, wearing motorcycle helmets and police vests, on the island's Sairee beach, surrounded by police as a reconstruction of the attacks is staged, watched on my hundreds of locals and tourists.

One suspect can be seen walking from the sea to the sandy beach, and wielding a large handled tool to apparently replicate a garden hoe while talking to officers.

The reconstruction also showed a man and woman, depicting the victims, walking along the beach, their arms around each other.

Thai police announced the pair, who had been detained by police for questioning, admitted killing the British tourists - one on Thursday and the other on Friday morning.

The reconstruction of the crime was staged on Friday morning

Thai National police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said: "The suspects saw them kissing and were aroused, so they attacked and got rid of the man and proceeded to rape the female victim.

"There was clear evidence: forensic evidence, (testimony from) witnesses and other evidence, as well as closed-circuit television footage."

He went on: "Looking at the DNA results, we have tested that the DNA of these two match the DNA found in the deceased.

"There was also a mobile, a guitar and a motorcycle used to do the crime.

"The mobile phone was the mobile of the victim which the suspects took it to destroy.

"Police were able to confiscate these."

Provincial police chief Kiattipong Khaosamang said the two men had also admitted raping Miss Witheridge. "Both raped the female victim," he said.

Thai police have collected DNA samples from more than 100 men on the island.

Police had originally said they believed three men were involved in the attack - two who raped and killed Miss Witheridge, while a third man watched.

A third Burmese man remains in detention and is being questioned on suspicion of involvement.

More follows...

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£3 Pill Stops You Wanting Second Glass Of Wine

Around 600,000 people in England and Wales who drink have half a bottle of wine a day are to be offered the first drug ever to be licensed to help reduce alcohol consumption.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended the nalmefene tablet's use after trials showed it cut drinking by 61% over six months when used with counselling.

Experts claim the drug, which costs £3 a pill, could save as many as 1,854 lives over five years and prevent 43,074 alcohol-related diseases and injuries.

Nalmefene, also known as Selincro, is the only licensed medicine which helps people reduce their drinking rather than aiding them to stop drinking altogether.

Severe alcoholics and those who are able to cut down without help would not be eligible for the drug.

It is administered orally once a day and is taken when people feel the urge to drink.

It works by blocking the part of the brain which gives drinkers pleasure from alcohol, stopping them from wanting more than one drink.

Men drinking three to four pints of beer would be eligible for the drug

Men would qualify to receive the treatment if they consume 7.5 units of alcohol per day - around three to four pints of standard strength lager.

It would be offered to women who consume five units a day, which amounts to around half a bottle of wine.

Video: Female Drink-Driver Number Doubles

Professor Carole Longson, at Nice health technology evaluation centre, said: "Alcohol dependence is a serious issue for many people.

"Those who could be prescribed nalmefene have already taken the first big steps by visiting their doctor, engaging with support services and taking part in therapy programmes.

"We are pleased to be able to recommend the use of nalmefene to support people further in their efforts to fight alcohol dependence.

"When used alongside psychosocial support, nalmefene is clinically and cost effective for the NHS compared with psychosocial support alone."

A final decision to roll out the drug on the NHS in England at a cost of £288m a year will be taken in November.

It has been provided to patients in Scotland since October last year.

Video: Thousands Drinking During Pregnancy

Video: New Report On Drinking And Health

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Anni Dewani Sister 'Haunted' By Lost Opportunity

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The parents of murdered bride Anni Dewani say they hope to hear the truth from her husband Shrien at his murder trial next week.

They insist their long fight for justice has left them unable to grieve for their daughter who was kidnapped and shot dead on her honeymoon in South Africa four years ago.

Shrien Dewani, 34, is accused of hiring a hitman to murder his new bride.

The Bristol businessman denies faking the carjacking of their taxi and fleeing before Anni Dewani, 28, was driven off to her death.

Her father, Vinod Hindocha, 65, told Sky News: "We really hope we get to know what happened to Anni. That's all we are asking for.

"Shrien, tell us the truth, tell us what's happened. You were there.

Video: Anni Dewani's Bedroom Now A Shrine

"Anni had no right to die the way she did. This is not acceptable, the way she left us."

This week the Hindocha family were packing their suitcases at their home in Mariestad, Sweden, for the 6,000-mile journey to Cape Town, where the trial is due to start on Monday.

Anni's mother, Nilam, 62, said: "I hope we get justice. And I would love to hear what Shrien has to say.

Video: Sister's Shock Over Anni's Death

"They say time will heal the wounds, but they get deeper and deeper. Let's hope we get justice and we can move ahead with our lives."

Shrien Dewani was extradited to South Africa in April after fighting extradition for three years.

He had claimed he was mentally unfit to stand trial, but psychiatrists eventually agreed he was well enough to be treated in a Cape Town clinic, where more doctors said he was ready for the court case.

Video: 'I Told Anni It Was Wedding Stress'

Dewani denies murder, arguing that he loved his wife and had no motive to have her killed.

The prosecution is expected to suggest he is gay and wanted to escape his marriage.

Anni's elder sister, Ami Denborg, 37, revealed: "Three weeks before the wedding Anni actually threw the ring back at Shrien.

Video: Sky's Martin Brunt On Dewani Case

"She called me and said a lot of things, like it wasn't working well.

"I thought she was just stressed out and told her she would get over it.

"Looking back, I should have told her to break it off. If I had, maybe she would be alive today. It still haunts me."

Three local men have already been jailed for Anni's murder.

One of them, taxi driver Zola Tongo, told police Dewani offered him £1,300 to arrange for her to be killed.

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GP Practices Face Closure Due To Doctor Shortage

More than 500 GP practices in England face being closed because of a looming "workforce crisis", experts have said.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said a large number of family doctors were nearing retirement and unless action was taken there will not be enough replacements for them.

It means thousands of people could be left without a GP or will have to travel miles to see one, the RCGP added.

The warning comes after David Cameron pledged access to a GP seven days a week if the Conservatives are returned to power next May.

Dr Maureen Baker, RCGP chairwoman, is scheduled to tell the college's annual conference in Liverpool the number of people entering the profession is falling short of the numbers leaving it.

Video: Cameron On The NHS Battleground

As well as retiring, family doctors are leaving Britain to work abroad or pursuing alternative careers.

The RCGP said the number of unfilled GP posts has quadrupled in the last three years from 2.1% in 2010 to 7.9% in 2013.

At the same time estimates suggest applications for GP training have dropped by around 15%.

Dr Baker will call for the budget for general practice to be increased to help meet the shortfall.

Video: 7-Day Week GP Service Explained

"Today, I can reveal new estimates from the College that 543 practices in England are at risk of closure if something isn't done," she will say.

"There are practices that have over 90% of GPs over the age of 60, when the average retirement age of GPs is 59. This is shocking.

"With a growing, ageing population, not to mention a baby boom, we need to increase capacity in general practice, not take it away."

Dr Baker will add: "Most worryingly, we are not attracting enough new doctors and nurses into general practice, or doing enough to retain the highly skilled workforce we have."

Video: GPs Face Closure For Dangerous Care

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We're increasing trainees so that GP numbers continue to grow faster than the population and will train 10,000 more primary and community health and care staff by 2020, including 5,000 more GPs.

"There are already 1,000 more GPs than in 2010 and we're making it easier for GPs to return to the profession."

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RAF Tornados Take Out IS Truck Using Guided Bomb

Royal Air Force Tornados have helped Peshmerga forces destroy an Islamic State armed pick-up truck using a guided bomb in Iraq.

Two war planes provided vital air support to the Kurdish forces on the ground engaged in combat with IS fighters in the north-west of the country.

The Ministry of Defence said the "successful precision attack" was carried out with a Paveway IV guided bomb, overnight.

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McCanns Targeted By 'Venomous' Internet Trolls

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The Metropolitan Police is investigating a catalogue of vile internet abuse targeting the family of Madeleine McCann including death threats, Sky News can reveal.

Officers are in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service after being handed a dossier of more than 80 pages of Tweets, Facebook posts and messages on online forums aimed at Kate and Gerry McCann.

Over the past few years hundreds of shocking messages have been posted by 'trolls' who believe - despite no evidence - that the McCanns had some involvement in the disappearance of their daughter in Portugal in 2007.

These include suggestions that the McCanns should be tortured and killed and calls for them to "burn in hell".

Some messages are even directed at Madeleine's younger siblings, now aged nine.

Manipulated images involving the McCanns - many of them graphic - are also in wide circulation online.

Video: Some Material 'Really Disturbing'

One troll - who uses the Twitter identity "Sweepyface" and has posted dozens of anti-McCann messages using the #mccann hashtag - was confronted by Sky News.

When asked about her use of social media to attack the couple, she replied: "I'm entitled to."

The dossier - compiled by members of the public alarmed at the online treatment of the McCanns and shown to Sky News - calls on police and MPs to act to crack down on such abuse.

The Met wrote to the campaigners: "In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and the McCann family the material will now be assessed and decisions made as to what further action if any should be undertaken."

Video: McCanns Abused On Social Media

Among the messages identified in the dossier is an exchange on a message board which reads: "These 2 should burn in hell"; "I will supply the petrol"; "I'll supply the lighter - happily".

Other posts include: "We need some numbers for some assassins on taps", "I hope that the McCanns are living in total misery" and "I want to see them smashed up the back of a bus or trampled by horses".

In one of her tweets "Sweepyface" called for the McCanns to suffer "for the rest of their miserable lives".

In addition to threats and abuse, several trolls have claimed to live nearby to the McCanns in Leicestershire and reported on their movements.

Video: Sky's Martin Brunt On McCann Abuse

The campaigner spearheading the appeal - who has asked to remain anonymous - told Sky News: "We're very worried that it's only going to take somebody to act out of some of these discussions, some of the threats that have been made, and we couldn't live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing."

Author Anthony Summers, whose book Looking for Madeleine was published last month, said: "There is a campaign of hatred against the parents.

"It is venomous and vitriolic, most of it done by cowards. We are taken aback by the extent of the sheer evil behind it all."

Sara Payne has become a campaigner for parents' right to a controlled access to the Sex Offenders Register since her daughter, Sarah, was murdered in 2000.

Video: Sept 7: 'Charity Worker' A Suspect?

Responding to the story of the abuse against the McCanns on Twitter, she wrote: "About time, they are certainly not the only victims but they are the most abused.

"I hope this means this kind of disgusting abuse will finally be stopped."

:: At 2pm we will be hosting a Twitter Q&A with crime correspondent Martin Brunt on our exclusive story about the abuse Madeleine McCann's parents have suffered online. Tweet your questions using the hashtag #AskBrunt".

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Timeline: The Month-Long Search For Alice

Scotland Yard has so far followed more than 700 lines of enquiry and spoken to more than 1,000 people during the search for Alice Gross.

The operation included a reconstruction of Alice's last known movements, which led to 150 calls to police from member of the public.

Here is a timeline of the operation to find the 14-year-old schoolgirl after she went missing on 28 August.

:: 28 August

Alice leaves her home in Hanwell, west London, at 1pm. The last sighting of her was made at 4.26pm as she walked along the canal beneath Trumpers Way, heading towards Hanwell.

:: 1 September

Alice's family appeal for her to get in touch, saying they miss her "desperately".

Horse-mounted police search wasteland near the River Brent

:: 3 September

The search operation comes under the command of Scotland Yard's homicide and major crime squad.

:: 4 September

CCTV footage is released showing the last sighting of Alice. Police reveal they have discovered a rucksack she was carrying, with shoes inside.

Alice's family renew their appeals for help. Her mother, Rosalind Hodgkiss, says: "We'd like to say to Alice first of all that we miss her, that we love her and that she's not in any trouble, and we want to know that she's safe. We just want her to come home."

:: 6 September

Police arrest a 25-year-old man in Ealing on suspicion of murder.

A reconstruction of Alice's last movements

:: 7 September

A second man, aged 51, is arrested on suspicion of murder. Police say the two arrests are independent of each other.

:: 8 September

Police are given more time to question the first suspect, and release the second suspect with no further action to be taken.

:: 16 September

Detectives reveal they are searching for 41-year-old Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns in relation to Alice's disappearance.

He was last seen at his home in Ealing, west London, on September 3.

The 25-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder is told he will face no further action.

The schoolgirl was last seen on August 28

:: 18 September

Zalkalns is named as an official suspect in Alice's disappearance.

Detectives stress there is "no evidence that Alice is not alive and no evidence that Alice has come to harm".

:: 19 September

Searches are carried out at Zalkalns' home in Ealing. Police also search a second home where Zalkalns previously lived, and remove a mountain bike.

:: 20 September

Scotland Yard says the search for Alice is the biggest search operations since the 7/7 bombings in 2005.

Hundreds of police have been involved in the search operation

:: 22 September

Police confirm they have formally requested details of the Latvian murder conviction against Zalkalns.

:: 23 September

Detectives travel to Latvia in their search for Alice and prime suspect Zalkalns.

A knife recovered during a search of waterways is sent for forensic analysis.

:: 24 September

Police remove a mountain bike during a forensic search

The investigation has so far followed 729 lines of enquiry, spoken to 1,067 people and had more than 1,000 calls. There have been no confirmed sightings since Alice's disappearance.

:: 25 September

An emotional plea is made by Alice's family for her to return home. Police also stage a reconstruction of her final movements.

:: 29 September

The search area moves to a National Trust-owned estate near where Alice was last seen.

:: 30 September

Search teams discover a body in the River Brent.

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Alice Gross: 'Now A Murder Investigation'

Police searching for missing teenager Alice Gross have found a body in the River Brent in west London.

Detectives hunting for the 14-year-old, who disappeared nearly five weeks ago after leaving her home in Hanwell, said there had been "significant efforts" to hide the human remains.

Scotland Yard Commander Graham McNulty said: "This is now a murder investigation and I need the public's help to find whoever is responsible."

The body has been removed from the scene and Alice's family have been informed.

Video: Alice Gross Police Statement

Mr McNulty said: "Our work at this scene is crucial to make sure we capture all of the available evidence, to establish who is responsible for this dreadful crime.

"I can confirm significant efforts were made to conceal the body."

He added: "We are unable to make a formal identification at this stage, but clearly this news is devastating for everyone involved in the search for Alice.

"At this time my thoughts are with Alice's family and friends."

Video: Alice's Movements Reconstructed

Thanking the local community for their support during the investigation, he said: "This discovery will have a significant impact throughout the borough."

Alice was last seen on CCTV walking along the towpath next to the Grand Union Canal as it passes under Trumpers Way at 4.26pm on August 28. She has not been seen since.

Her disappearance sparked a huge police search - the Met's largest since the 7/7 bombings.

Hundreds of officers from several forces around the country have been involved in the investigation, while the RAF was also drafted in to help identify new search areas.

Video: Missing Girl's Parents' Anguish

Footage from 300 CCTV cameras within a six-square-mile radius was examined, while police also staged a reconstruction of the  the teenager's last-known movements in a bid to jog people's memory.

Mr McNulty said the search of the river was carried out as part of the investigation into Alice's disappearance.

Police have not said exactly where the body was found.

The River Brent runs a short distance from Hanwell and the towpath next to the Grand Union Canal where Alice was last seen on CCTV.

Video: Latvia Asked For Help Over Alice

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, who was filmed cycling along the same route behind Alice, has emerged as the prime suspect in the case.

The Latvian builder was reported missing within days of her disappearance, but police stressed he was just "one line of enquiry".

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Alice Gross Suspect: Hunt For Convicted Murderer

The hunt for the prime suspect in the disappearance of Alice Gross will intensify after the discovery of a body by police.

Arnis Zalkalns, a Latvian builder who was jailed in his native country after murdering his wife, was filmed on CCTV cycling along a path by the Grand Union Canal where the 14-year-old was last seen on August 28.

And police searching for Alice have now launched a murder inquiry after finding a body in the River Brent, West London.

Detectives believe Zalkalns is likely to have seen Alice, and have been working with their counterparts in his native country of Latvia to track down the labourer, who was reported missing within days of the teenager's disappearance.

The 41-year-old has not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since September 3, nor has he returned home to his partner and young child.

He also left behind his passport.

Forensic officers have searched his semi-detached house in Ealing, West London.

Detectives believe Zalkalns is likely to have seen Alice

Zalkalns, who worked at a building site in Isleworth, West London, is thought to have come to the UK in 2007.

Authorities here have faced criticism for apparently holding no record of his conviction for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death in Latvia.

Video: Alice Gross Police Statement

According to reports in his home country, he buried his spouse in a forest after murdering her following a dispute about her sexuality.

There have been conflicting reports as to whether he was subsequently jailed for seven or eight years.

It has also emerged Zalkalns was arrested in London on suspicion of indecent assault on a 14-year-old girl in 2009, but was never charged.

Video: Alice Gross Suspect's Home Searched

Police have admitted they they have no power to arrest him if he has managed to flee abroad.

Commander Graham McNulty said the force would need to be "charge ready" to apply for a European Arrest Warrant, and has not done so because this would stop officers being able to interview the suspect.

Police have warned he "clearly poses a risk to the public" and anyone who sees him is urged not to approach him.

Video: Alice Police Find Body In River

He is described as white, 5'10", of stocky build and with dark brown hair that he normally wears tied in a pony tail.

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Memorial Service For Stabbed Leeds Teacher

Hundreds of people are due to gather for a memorial service in Leeds later today to remember teacher Ann Maguire.

Mrs Maguire, 61, died in April after she was stabbed while teaching a Spanish lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College.

The mother-of-two had taught at the school for more than 40 years. She was due to retire this month.

The memorial service at Leeds Town Hall will be led by Reverend Monsignor John Wilson of the Catholic Diocese of Leeds.

Mourners gather for the funeral of Mrs Maguire in May

Organisers say the event will be "a celebration of Mrs Maguire's life in song, on screen and through words".

Members of the public have been invited to join Mrs Maguire's family, colleagues and pupils at the memorial.

Those attending the service, as well as schools across Leeds, will also take part in a minute's silence at about 12.30pm.

Flowers laid outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in April

Some 300 people attended Mrs Maguire's funeral mass in May. A long line of flowers and tributes were also laid outside the school.

The Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund has been established to provide bursaries and funding for young people through music, drama, language and dance.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/ann-maguire.

A 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with Mrs Maguire's murder. He is remanded in custody and will appear in court again in November.

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Alice Gross: Police Dredge Canal For iPhone

Police trying to trace schoolgirl Alice Gross have dredged a canal close to where she disappeared a month ago.

More than 300 officers are involved in the massive hunt for the 14-year-old, who failed to return to her home in Hanwell, west London, on 28 August.

She was last seen on CCTV walking along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal towards Hanwell at 4.26pm.

A map showing Alice Gross's last-known movements

A stretch of canal was searched in the hope of finding possessions such as her iPhone - but no new leads were discovered.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "That search was conducted as part of the wider search and nothing of significance was found. Searches are ongoing."

Officers from more than a dozen forces are now involved in the hunt, while the RAF has been drafted in to help identify new search areas.

Runners taking part in a half-marathon in Ealing on Sunday wore yellow ribbons to raise awareness of Alice's disappearance.

Runners in a half-marathon in Ealing wore yellow ribbons

Ribbons were also tied to trees and fences along the route, close to where Alice was last seen.

Her mother, Rosalind Hodgkiss, said: "Every morning, as Alice's disappearance grows longer and longer, brings new agony, new anguish."

On Saturday, officers revealed that footage from 300 CCTV cameras within a six-square-mile radius was now being analysed.

Police received 150 phone calls after staging a reconstruction of the teenager's last-known movements.

A reconstruction of the teen's last-known movements prompted 150 calls

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, the prime suspect in her disappearance, who has also vanished, was filmed cycling the same route behind the teenager.

But police stress the Latvian, who was also accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl in 2009, is just "one line of enquiry".

A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered to anyone who has information that leads police to find Alice.

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Budget Chain Aldi Sees Profit Boom In Britain

Aldi And Lidl 'Victors In Supermarket War'

Updated: 2:18pm UK, Tuesday 29 July 2014

Discounters Aldi and Lidl have seen their market share surge as Britain's four biggest outlets suffer in the ongoing bitter supermarket war.

Research firm Kantar Worldpanel said in the three months to June 20, both of the German-based retailers saw significant growth compared to the same period last year.

It said Aldi's share rose from 3.7% to 4.8%, while Lidl expanded from 3.1% to 3.6%.

Meanwhile, supermarket giant Tesco saw its share of the sector fall from 30.3% last year to 28.9% in the period ending in July.

Asda, Britain's second biggest chain, remained flat at 17%, while Sainsbury's also remained static at 16.6%.

Struggling supermarket Morrisons was the second biggest faller out of the major retailers, seeing its share fall from 11.5% last year to 11% this year.

Both Tesco and Morrisons recorded sales losses of 3.8% compared to the same period last year, researchers said.

Kantar Worldpanel director Edward Garner said: "Aldi's 32% growth rate has lifted its market share to 4.8%, and this is a new record for the retailer and means it has nearly caught up with Waitrose on 4.9%.

"Similarly, Lidl sales have grown by nearly 20% and it has held onto its record share of 3.6%."

Britain's big outlets have become increasingly embroiled in a price war during 2014 that has harmed their margins.

They have also invested heavily in convenience store and online delivery services.

The hard discounters have avoided entering the online delivery sub-sector, which is seen by analysts as costing the majors more than £100m a year.

Grocery price inflation has also fallen for the 10th consecutive periods and now stands at 0.4%.

Price slashing and deflation in staple items like milk, vegetables and bread have driven food price inflation down to its lowest level since late 2006, when the research first started.
 

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Abu Qatada Says He's Forgotten About Britain

Timeline: Qatada Legal Battle

Updated: 10:35am UK, Wednesday 24 September 2014

Abu Qatada challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government to detain and deport him for many years.

Here is a timeline of the legal battle.

1993: Abu Qatada claims asylum when he arrives in Britain on a forged passport.

1994: Allowed to stay in Britain.

1995: Issues a "fatwa" justifying the killing of converts from Islam, their wives and children in Algeria.

1998: Applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

1999: April - Convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

October - Speaks in London advocating the killing of Jews and praising attacks on Americans.

2001: February - Arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in a plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market. Officers find him with £170,000 in cash, including £805 in an envelope marked "For the mujahedin in Chechnya".

December - Becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London.

2002: Arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.

2005: Freed on conditional bail and placed on a control order but arrested again in August under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008: April: Court of Appeal rules deportation would breach his human rights because evidence used against him in Jordan might have been obtained through torture.

May - Granted bail by the immigration tribunal but told he must stay inside for 22 hours a day.

June - Released from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire and moves into a four-bedroom house in west London.

November - He is rearrested after the Home Office tells an immigration hearing of fears he plans to abscond.

December - Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) after hearing secret evidence that the risk of him absconding has increased.

2009: Five Law Lords unanimously back the Government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments and it is ruled he can be deported to Jordan to face a retrial on the terror charges.

He is awarded 2,800 euro (£2,500) compensation by the European Court of Human Rights after the judges rule that his detention without trial in the UK under anti-terrorism powers breached his human rights.

2012: January - European judges rule he can be sent to Jordan with diplomatic assurances but not while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him".

February - He is released on strict bail conditions.

April - Rearrested as the Government prepares to deport him after Jordan gives assurances it will "bend over backwards" to ensure he receives a fair trial.

March - Qatada's legal team loses its bid to have the case heard by the Europe's human rights judges, clearing the way for deportation proceedings to continue.

May and August - Siac rejects Qatada's applications for bail.

October - Siac holds appeal hearing.

November - His appeal is granted and he is granted bail.

December - Qatada is moved to a larger residence in the greater London area.

2013: March 9 - It emerges Qatada has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He is ordered to stay in custody and sent to Belmarsh.

March 21 - Police reveal the cleric is being investigated over extremist material.

March 27 - Home Secretary Theresa May loses her appeal over Siac's decision to allow Qatada to stay in the UK. The Home Office vows to appeal.

April 17 - The Home Office formally announces that it is seeking leave from the Court of Appeal to take the case to the Supreme Court.

April 22 - The Court of Appeal refuses permission to go to the Supreme Court, forcing the Home Office to appeal directly to the highest court in the land.

April 23 - Theresa May tells MPs she has signed a new treaty with Jordan that should pave the way to deportation, but warns it might take "many months".

May 10 - Qatada's barrister says he will go back to Jordan voluntarily if the treaty on the use of evidence obtained by torture, guaranteeing he will not be tortured, is ratified by the Jordanian parliament.

May 20 - Qatada is refused bail by the Special Immigrations Appeals Commission after "jihadist material" is found on a computer memory stick.

July 2 - The new treaty between Jordan and Britain is fully ratified, sparking claims Qatada could be on a plane within days.

July 3 - A Jordanian government official tells AFP the cleric is due back on Sunday.

July 7 - Flown from RAF Northolt to Jordan

December 10: Pleads not guilty to terrorism charges at a state security court in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

2014: June 26 - Acquitted of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism over 1998 bomb plots allegations.

September 24 - Acquitted over plot to target Western tourists over the New Year in Jordan in 2000.

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Cameron Wants To Make Case For Syria Airstrikes

A day after RAF fighter jets joined the mission to beat Islamic State in Iraq, David Cameron has said he also wants to make the case for targeting Syria.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, the Prime Minister revealed he would argue that targeting Syria is both legal and appropriate.

"There are complications but there aren't legal difficulties," he said.

The RAF carried out two sorties over Iraq on Saturday after Parliament gave the green light for airstrikes on IS militants.

In both missions the Tornado GR4 fighter bombers did not use their weapons, although the Ministry of Defence said "invaluable intelligence" had been gathered using the planes' surveillance equipment.

The jets, who fly in pairs, returned to their base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at the end of their hours-long missions with their weapons payload intact.

Mr Cameron said he would respond to the challenge thrown down by Ed Miliband to seek a UN resolution supporting attacks in Syria, if only to show that his request is impossible.

"We have to demonstrate to people that we'd like a UN security council resolution but it's very difficult to get one and to demonstrate that what we propose is legal. Attempts have been made but there's the existence of a Russian veto."

His comments come as two former senior military commanders have questioned Mr Cameron's policy of isolated air attacks.

Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, a former head of the UK military who stepped down as chief of the defence staff last year, said a campaign involving ground troops would be needed to crush IS.

"Ultimately you need a land army to achieve the objectives we've set ourselves - all air will do is destroy elements of Isis, it won't achieve our strategic goal," he told the Sunday Times.

"The only way to defeat Isis is to take back land they are occupying which means a conventional military operation. The only way to do it effectively is to use western armies but I understand the political resistance."

Richard Williams, a former commanding officer of the SAS who served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, wrote in the Independent on Sunday the deployment of RAF bombers was a "military sugar rush" that "risks looking fearful and half-cocked".

RAF crew at the base on Saturday morning

Lieutenant Colonel Williams said the sending in of RAF bombers had "taken on a military and political significance out of all proportion to their real military value".

He wrote: "They provide us and our leaders, desperate to do something, with a military sugar rush, to be followed inevitably in six months' time with the 'war-downer' reality that things are not going as we wish them to, and that the long-term costs of our involvement are escalating, in ways that will need to be explained, or hidden, during a general election."

Ministers had cautioned not to expect a campaign of "shock and awe" and that after weeks of US airstrikes in the area it could take time to identify new targets.

A member of the aircrew prepares to depart on the first mission. Pic: MOD

Mr Cameron insisted the involvement of RAF combat aircraft showed Britain was there to "play our part" in the international coalition being assembled against IS.

"We are one part of a large international coalition," the Prime Minister said during a visit to Didcot, Oxfordshire, ahead of the Conservative Party conference.

"But the crucial part of that coalition is that it is led by the Iraqi government, the legitimate government of Iraq, and its security forces. We are there to play our part and help deal with this appalling terrorist organisation."

:: Sky's Dermot Murnaghan will be talking live to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon from 10am this morning. Watch on Sky News Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202 and Freeview 132.

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RAF Helps Search For Missing Teen Alice Gross

The RAF has been helping in the search for missing teenager Alice Gross, Scotland Yard has confirmed.

Along with more than a dozen police forces across the country, the air force has provided support with "aerial analysis" - which allows officers on the ground to focus their efforts to find the 14-year-old, who disappeared five weeks ago.

Thousands of runners taking part in a half-marathon in Ealing, west London, on Sunday are set to wear yellow ribbons to raise awareness of Alice's disappearance.

The 14-year-old disappeared five weeks ago

Ribbons have also been tied to trees and fences along the route, which runs close to where Alice was last seen.

Kelvin Walker, race director for the event, told Sky News: "We thought it would be a really good idea to give some runners bows to run around the course.

"The course is now covered in ribbons and it's quite an emotional sight to see, so we're just really happy to be involved in helping them."

The schoolgirl, from Hanwell, west London, disappeared on 28 August. She was filmed on CCTV walking along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal towards Hanwell at 4.26pm, but has not been seen since.

Police will continue a search of scrubland near the Grand Union Canal

On Saturday, police revealed that footage from 300 CCTV cameras is now being analysed, taken from a six-square-mile radius.

Officers will continue to search scrubland along the towpath near the canal.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "This continues to be a massive investigation.

"A range of officers and staff from across the Met are taking part in the ever-expanding search for Alice."

Police received 150 phone calls after staging a reconstruction of the teenager's last known movements.

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, the prime suspect in her disappearance, who has also vanished, was filmed cycling the same route behind the teenager.

But police stress the Latvian, who was also accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl in 2009, was just "one line of inquiry".

A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for anyone who has information that leads police to find Alice.

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