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.

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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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