Search For Body In Suspected Slavery Case

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Correspondent

Police investigating slavery allegations in South Wales are searching a farm for a buried body.

Gwent Police say the property in the village of Peterstone near Newport is now the centre of their investigation, which includes digging for the body of an "unknown person" who may have been buried at the site.

Earth moving machinery and ground X-ray equipment is being used as specialist search teams, accompanied by a forensic archaeologist, continue their work.

Two men, aged 66 and 42, were arrested at the address yesterday, and a man of eastern European origin was taken to safety.

The man, thought to be Polish, remains at an undisclosed medical reception centre where his physical and mental condition is being assessed.

More than 100 police officers were involved in the raids

He is currently being helped by members of the Red Cross as well as police, who are trying to establish the circumstances under which he was staying at the farm.

Arrests were also made at a flat in Cardiff and a house in Penhow in Monmouthshire. Searches there have now ended.

The four people were arrested on suspicion of slavery and servitude offences, and remain in custody assisting officers with their inquiries following the granting of an extension.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Paul Griffiths said: "As a result of the publicity generated by the police activity I'm grateful to the people who have contacted us with information which is assisting our inquiry.

"Importantly, we've received a number of calls from individuals who may also be potential victims or important witnesses.

"In addition, I'm making a personal appeal to the author of an anonymous letter which was sent to a neighbouring force some months ago to contact us."

The investigation forms part of "Operation Imperial", which began six months ago, after the recovery of a man living in poor conditions in Peterstone, who had been reported missing 13 years earlier.

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Iain Dale Scraps With Protester At Conference

Blogger Iain Dale has scuffled with an anti-nuclear protester during interviews outside Labour's party conference in Brighton.

Mr Dale was trying to stop Stuart Holmes disrupting a publicity drive for Damian McBride's memoirs as they staged a series of interviews on the seafront.

The blogger is also the publisher of the former spin doctor's controversial memoir Power Trip, which has overshadowed the party conference this week.

Iain Dale hauls the protester away from the cameras

He grabbed the pensioner's rucksack and physically hauled him out of the way as Mr McBride recorded an interview with ITV's Daybreak.

The pair grappled on the pavement as the interview continued, with Mr Holmes' dog eagerly joining in the fray and barking.

The terrier - which had a placard saying "No Nuke's" on its back - seemed to misplace his loyalty though, and jumped up to bite his owner on his bottom.

The publisher was annoyed he was distracting from the interview

Mr Holmes attempted to make the best of the situation, holding up his own banner to photographers busy recording the scrap.

After a few moments, the pair separated and dusted themselves down, and he continued trying to edge his way into view of the cameras.

Writing on his blog later, Mr Dale said he had been waiting in his car ready to drive Mr McBride to his next interview when he spotted the protester.

He said he was holding a placard and "filling a lot of the screen and totally distracting from the interview".

The pair tussled and then fell on the ground

"I did what any self-respecting publisher would do, got out of the car, ran across, got him in an armlock and pulled him out of the shot.

"He started resisting and we ended up in an unseemly tumble on the ground ... I was determined this idiot shouldn't disrupt what was an important interview for my author."

He added: "He threw a punch at me but missed, and the only injury was when the man's dog bit him on the bum."

The protester's dog joined in the fray - and bit his bottom

Mr Dale joked that he knew he "shouldn't have had three Weetabix this morning" and "now you can see why my publishing company is called Biteback".

He insisted he did not regret the altercation.

"Everyone has an inalienable right to protest, but no one has a right to make a continual nuisance of themselves and interrupt interviews like that," he said.

Mr Dale joked that he shouldn't have had three Weetabix

Mr Holmes has been protesting outside party conference venues for the last 30 years and thought the media had been gathering to interview Ed Miliband.

He said he had been keen to confront the Labour leader after being "totally blanked" by him at the TUC conference in Bournemouth.

"I was not ruining the interview. I was just in the background. I was not saying anything," he insisted after being quizzed by Sussex Police.

"This giant of a guy turned up and grabbed hold of me. I struggled free and in the process we ended up on the floor. Someone chucked my hat over the top and I had to go down and get it."

He indicated he was unlikely to take legal action, but would discuss it with his solicitors and "think it over".

"Nobody got injured - well, he might have a few bruises," he added.

The clash provoked an outpouring of jokes - and some criticism - on Twitter.

One poster called Matt Provost wrote: "@IainDale A.) You had no right to lay a finger on him. That's assault. B.) He has every right to be a nuisance and to stand where he likes."

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North London Shooting: Police Appeal For Help

Police are appealing for help to find a man wanted in connection with a murder in north London five months ago.

Father-of-one Zafer Eren was shot dead in the street outside his home in High Street, Southgate.

Witnesses described seeing a masked gunman flee the scene in a burgundy Peugeot 308 just after 7pm on Thursday, April 22.

Detectives want to speak to Jamie Marsh-Smith, 22, who has been known to have links to Tottenham, Hackney, Camden and Kilburn.

A reward of up to £30,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for 34-year-old Mr Eren's killing.

CCTV picture of Marsh-Smith

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, who is leading the investigation, said: "We need the public to help us trace and arrest Jamie Marsh-Smith.

"We know that allegiances shift over time and now months on from Zafer's murder, people may have the confidence to talk to us."

As part of the investigation, a 32-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and assisting an offender.

He was arrested at a residential address in West Hampstead and was taken to a west London police station for questioning.

Anyone with information about Jamie Marsh-Smith's whereabouts can call 020 7321 7228 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Immediate sightings of him should be reported by calling 999.

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Family Lead Tributes To Fallen Traffic Officer

The family of a traffic officer killed in an apparent hit-and-run say they have been left with "a huge void" in their lives.

Father-of-two PC Andrew Duncan, 47, who joined the Met Police in 1990 and became a traffic officer in May 2004, died on Sunday after trying to stop a car in Sutton, south London, on Friday.

His wife Claire said in a statement: "We would like to thank all the medical staff at St George's Hospital, Tooting, for their enormous efforts in attempting to save Andrew's life.

"We have had, and still are having, tremendous support from all Andrew's colleagues, family and friends. Our children, Adam, Emma, and myself are truly grateful.

"Andrew was a fantastic husband, father, son and brother. This is supported by the many tributes which we are still receiving from his family and friends.

"We are left with a huge void in our lives, but we have some fantastic memories that we will always treasure."

Flowers at the location where the traffic officer was knocked down

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and Home Secretary Theresa May both paid tribute to him.

Sir Bernard said: "Andy was a hard-working and courageous policeman. He served the community as both a police officer and as a scouting volunteer.

"The night he was injured, he was doing a job that he loved and we all had every right to expect he would return safely to his home and family - tragically that was not the case."

Mrs May, who will attend a service to mark the 10th National Police Memorial Day on Sunday where officers who die on duty are remembered, said his death highlighted the importance of the day.

"The tragic death of PC Andrew Duncan brings home the importance of National Police Memorial Day, when we come together to remember the debt of gratitude we owe to policemen and women across the country who put themselves in harm's way to protect us.

One man - who was charged under the name Gary Bromige, but appeared in court under the name Gary Cody - is accused of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

Police on Monday night arrested two other men, aged 19 and 23, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and they remain in custody.

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Miliband: Labour Would Freeze Energy Prices

Ed Miliband has vowed he would freeze gas and electricity bills for 20 months if Labour regains power at the next election.

The party leader told its conference in Brighton that he would pass new laws to enforce the freeze while the energy sector was overhauled.

Labour claims the move will save households £120 a year and businesses £1,800 between May 2015 and January 2017.

The dramatic announcement puts Mr Miliband on a collision course with the "Big Six" energy companies, which stand to lose £4.5bn and have not been consulted.

"The companies won't like it because it will cost them money but they have been overcharging people for too long because the market doesn't work. It's time to reset the market," he said.

Ed Miliband and wife Justine arriving at the hall before his conference

He accused the coalition of allowing energy prices to spiral because David Cameron did not have "the strength to stand up to the strong".

An average family's bill has risen by almost £300 since 2010 and companies now say energy is the second biggest cost they face, after wages.

A report last weekend from consumer group Which? also estimated that flaws in the market had left consumers paying £3.9bn a year too much.

Labour has already vowed it will pass new laws to split energy companies into generation and retail arms, create more competition and replace Ofgem with a tougher watchdog.

Aides said firms should be able to absorb the freeze because of their large profits and challenged Mr Cameron to hold bills down if they try to dodge it by hiking prices early.

Consumer group Which? immediately welcomed the plan, claiming it would give "hope to the millions worrying about how they can afford to heat their homes".

Executive director Richard Lloyd said: "We now look forward to seeing the detail of how this will work.

"Wholesale costs are the biggest part of the eye-watering rises to energy bills that people have faced over the last ten years.

"Making the wholesale market competitive by separating energy generation from supply is essential to help keep prices in check."

The Labour leader spoke for 63 minutes without notes

Mr Miliband had spent weeks honing his speech, which lasted 63 minutes, after a summer of recrimination over his leadership and the party's lack of direction.

Speaking without notes, he claimed soaring energy prices were part of a "cost-of-living crisis" which had left ordinary people struggling while the "privileged few" prospered.

He repeatedly declared "Britain can do better than this" as he accused Mr Cameron and George Osborne of leading a "race to the bottom".

And he insisted he had shown his strength by standing against his brother for the top job and refusing to support British military intervention in Syria.

"Leadership is about risks and difficult decisions. It's about those lonely moments when you have to peer deep into your soul," he said.

He predicted a "big fight" between now and the next election, but insisted he would relish going up against Mr Cameron in a test about leadership and character.

Mr Miliband will hope the address will move his party on from the damaging revelations about the Blair-Brown years revealed in Damian McBride's memoir.

Seeking to flesh out Labour's economic policy, he unveiled plans for a £800m tax break for smaller firms - paid for by cancelling a 1% corporation tax cut due in 2015.

He vowed to reverse the hike in business rates due in April 2015 and freeze the levy the following year, a move worth around £450 on average over two years for 1.5million firms.

"We have to support our small businesses, the vibrant, dynamic businesses that will create wealth in Britain," Mr Miliband said.

However, business leaders were critical of the decision to fund it by keeping corporation tax higher, accusing him of "robbing Peter to pay Paul".

IoD director general Simon Walker warned it would harm Britain's competitiveness and put off foreign investors at a time when the country had to show it was open for business.

He said: "The Government has spent three years telling the world that we are open for business, and reductions in corporation tax have been a key part of that strategy.

"It's a dangerous move for Labour to risk our business-friendly environment in this way, at the same time as announcing a new bank levy."

Other measures included:

:: confirmation that the so-called "bedroom tax" would be scrapped, which prompted a standing ovation in the hall;

:: a "route map" to take all the carbon out of Britain's energy by 2030, creating one million jobs;

:: breakfast clubs and after-school care in primary schools, to help working parents.

Mr Miliband claimed Britons were "fed up of a Government that doesn't understand their lives and a Prime Minister who can't walk in their shoes".

He said Mr Cameron would "resume his lap of honour" about the economic recovery at the Tory conference next week, when he should be on a "lap of shame".

Borrowing a slogan from Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1980, he called on voters to ask themselves in 2015 "am I better off now than I was five years ago?".

"You've made the sacrifices but you have not got the rewards. You were the first one into the recession, but you are the last one out," he said.

Delegates also loudly applauded when he attacked Tory peer Lord Howell for suggesting fracking should happen in the "desolate" North East.

Arguing that the Tories are out-of-touch, he said: "The Tories call them inhabitants of desolate areas, we call them our friends, our neighbours, the heroes of our country."

On reform of Labour's union links, Mr Miliband insisted he understood why some people were "uncomfortable" urged union chiefs to work with him.

"I don't want to end that link. I want to mend that link and hear the voices of individual working people in our party louder than before," he said.

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HS2: Balls Signals Labour Could Pull Support

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has signalled Labour could scrap the controversial high-speed rail project if it regains power in 2015.

Mr Balls appeared to suggest a significant weakening in his party's support for HS2 in his keynote conference speech in Brighton.

He attacked the spiralling costs of the scheme, currently estimated to be £50bn, and warned there would be no "blank cheque" if he was chancellor.

The comments will fuel fears in Tory high command that cross-party support for the project could fall apart and will ramp up tensions ahead of its own conference next week.

Mr Balls said: "Under this government, the High Speed 2 project has been totally mismanaged and the costs have shot up to £50bn.

"David Cameron and George Osborne have made clear they will go full steam ahead with this project - no matter how much the costs spiral up and up.

"They seem willing to put their own pride and vanity above best value for money for the taxpayer.

"Labour will not take this irresponsible approach. So let me be clear, in tough times - when there is less money around and a big deficit to get down - there will be no blank cheque from me as a Labour Chancellor for this project or for any project."

The costs of HS2 have already risen to £50bn

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Rachel Reeves later said Labour could scrap the project if it was no longer "good value for money and costs continue to rise".

British Chambers of Commerce chief John Longworth called on Labour to clarify its position, while Katja Hall, the CBI's chief policy director, said: "We've always said that the Government must redouble its efforts to sell the benefits of HS2 while keeping a tight lid on costs.

"But let's not forget why this project matters. HS2 will connect eight of our 10 biggest cities, boost regeneration projects across the country for years to come, and will avert a looming capacity crunch on the West Coast main line."

Lord Adonis, a former transport secretary under Gordon Brown, is an enthusiastic supporter of the scheme but Lord Mandelson and Alistair Darling have both spoken out against it.

Mr Darling, who was both transport secretary and chancellor, withdrew his support last month, warning it was "foolish" and could "easily run out of control".

The Institute of Directors has called it a "grand folly" and the Commons spending watchdog has warned its apparent benefits are dwindling as the costs rise.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin insists HS2 is essential to the UK and recent analysis for the Government suggests it will ultimately generate an extra £15bn a year for Britain.

Much of the cooling in Labour's support has stemmed from the rise in costs to £42.6bn, with a further £7.5bn for the trains.

One recent independent study put the eventual cost as high as £80bn and there were claims the Treasury was working on it being at least £70bn.

HS2 Ltd, the company set up to deliver the project, said on Monday that £3.5bn could be sliced off the overall budget by recruiting contractors at the start instead of ad hoc.

The first phase of the link, from London to Birmingham, will cut through Tory heartlands in beauty spots in the Chilterns and is due to be completed by 2026.

The second phase, taking the line north in a Y-shape to Manchester in the north west of England and to Leeds in the north east, should be finished in 2032/33.

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Cumbria School Bus Crash: Children Injured

A school bus driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a crash with a lorry left around 20 people injured.

The two vehicles collided on the A685 in the village of Lowgill, near Kendal, at around 8.30am.

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust said 10 people, including six children with minor injuries, had been taken to hospital.

The crash on a stretch of road in Cumbria left 10 people in hospital

Three adults - one with a head injury, another with a rib injury and a third with neck pain - were taken to the Royal Lancaster Hospital, where the youngsters are also being treated.

Another patient was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital with head, arm and neck injuries that are not life-threatening.

The damaged cab of the lorry was towed away

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said local schools had been informed of the crash.

"Parents are advised to contact their (child's) school if they have any concerns," he added.

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Rolf Harris In Court On Child Sex Charges

Rolf Harris has appeared briefly in court charged with nine counts of indecent assault and four counts of making indecent images of a child.

The 83-year-old entertainer arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court with his wife Alwen at his side.

Wearing a dark suit, striped shirt and patterned tie, he said nothing to reporters as he walked into the building flanked by security guards.

He left court around 30 minutes later, surrounded by a throng of reporters and photographers as he climbed into a waiting car.

Harris, 83, said nothing as he walked into court

Harris is accused of assaulting two alleged victims, who were aged 14 and 15 at the time, between 1980 and 1986.

The charges of making indecent images of a child date back to last year.

During the hearing, Sonia Woodley QC, defending, said Harris had indicated he would plead not guilty.

The Australian-born artist, musician and TV presenter was questioned under caution last November by officers working on Operation Yewtree, the investigation into abuse claims against Jimmy Savile.

He was arrested in March and charged in August.

The allegations against him have no connection to Savile.

Harris, who has lived in Bray, Berkshire, for more than 50 years, has been in the public eye for decades.

He fronted the popular TV programme Animal Hospital and had several musical hits, many of which featured his famous wobble board.

He painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005 and performed at her Diamond Jubilee concert last year.

His next court appearance will be at Southwark Crown Court on October 7.

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Diabetes Will Create 'Public Health Disaster'

The UK is heading for a "public health disaster" as the NHS is facing a "huge strain" with not enough being done to prevent Type 2 diabetes, a charity has claimed.

According to Diabetes UK, the number of people with the condition is expected to hit five million by 2025 - up from 3.8 million today, because people do not take it seriously enough or make the right lifestyle changes.

It said less than a third of people realise that Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as amputation, heart attack, blindness and stroke.

Type 2 diabetes patients either do not produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce does not work properly. Roughly 85% of diabetes sufferers have Type 2, but it can be treated with exercise and an improved diet.

Type 1 cannot produce any insulin, is not caused by obesity and cannot be cured.

Diabetes UK has launched a national awareness campaign to have the risk of Type 2 diabetes assessed.

Chief executive Barbara Young said: "You only have to spend five minutes talking to someone who has lost their sight or has lost a leg as a result of Type 2 diabetes to realise the devastating impact the condition can have.

"But this survey makes it clear that most people do not understand the potential consequences of developing it, and I worry that until we finally lay to rest the myth that Type 2 diabetes is a mild condition, it will continue to be seen as something that is not worth being concerned about.

"This is a misconception that is wrecking lives and is the reason that as a country we are sleepwalking towards a public health disaster of an almost unimaginable scale."

Losing weight, eating more fruit and vegetables, and exercising can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The number of people with diabetes is steadily growing, with often devastating consequences for their health.

"We are helping people make healthier choices to help prevent obesity which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

"By working with industry we have helped to reduce fat, sugar and salt in foods, and thanks to the Change4Life campaign we are targeting more and more children and families with information on how to eat well, move more and live longer."

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Police Officer's Death: Man Appears In Court

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the death of a police officer who was hit by a car during a speed enforcement operation in south London.

The defendant, who was charged under the name Gary Bromige - but appeared at South Western Magistrates' Court, in Lavender Hill, south London, under the name Gary Cody - is accused of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 25-year-old is also charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and driving without insurance.

He was remanded in custody, to appear at Kingston Crown Court on October 7.

Traffic officer PC Andrew Duncan, 47, was taken to hospital following the collision in Reigate Avenue, Sutton, south London, at around 1am on Friday, but died on Sunday morning.

Tributes to the father-of-two were issued by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.

He said: "On behalf of the Metropolitan Police family, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his wife and children, parents, family and friends.

"Andy was a hard-working and courageous policeman. He served the community as both a police officer and as a Scouting volunteer.

Flowers are left at the scene where PC Andrew Duncan was hit

"The night he was injured, he was doing a job that he loved and we all had every right to expect he would return safely to his home and family - tragically that was not the case.

"We will continue to professionally and objectively investigate this incident under the oversight of Her Majesty's Coroner.

"I would urge anyone with information to contact us."

PC Duncan was married with a son and a daughter.

He had joined the force on March 19, 1990, and was originally posted to Battersea.

Six years later he transferred to the South-West Territorial Support Group where he served for almost seven years before moving to Hammersmith and Fulham Borough.

He subsequently joined the South-West Traffic Unit on May 17, 2004.

The Met said two men, aged 19 and aged 20, who were arrested on Sunday evening in connection with the investigation, remain in custody at a south London police station.

A woman who was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has since been bailed.

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