The boyfriend of one of the three women killed in a crossbow attack in Hertfordshire has said she was “stolen from me too soon”.

Alex Klein, who was in a relationship with Hannah Hunt, the 28-year-old daughter of the BBC racing commentator John Hunt, posted a picture of the pair on Instagram with the words: “RIP the love of my life, I will never forget you, stolen from me too soon.

“The brightest light in my life. My brave queen for life. Until we meet again… I love you Hansy.”

Mr Klein also posted pictures of the couple at an investor event, as well as a picture showing them kissing and embracing in a swimming pool. “Forever with me,” he wrote.

Mr Klein’s Instagram account suggests the couple took a holiday to Tenerife in March last year.

Hannah died alongside her mother Carol, 61, and sister Louise, 25, when they were attacked at their home in Bushey on Tuesday.

Kyle Clifford, the suspected killer, was detained in Lavender Hill Cemetery, close to his home in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday night following a huge manhunt. Louise Hunt is understood to have recently broken up with him.

A woman answering the door at the home of Mr Klein, a short drive from the house where Carol, Hannah and Louise were killed, told The Telegraph: “My family are all devastated. We are in mourning, and we need space to grieve for the loss of Carol, Hannah and Louise. This has been truly terrible for all of us.”

Three close friends of Carol Hunt have said they are “together in grief” after she was killed.

Dionne Smith, 58, Abigail Phillips, also 58, and 60-year-old Lea Holloway, told reporters outside St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday: “She was a lovely, lovely person. We can’t believe what happened. We were a four, and now there’s only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief.”

Lea Holloway said she had known Mrs Hunt since she was 16, describing her as a “beautiful person”. Speaking outside the church, she said: “We grew up together and were pregnant at the same time. 

“This is the stuff nightmares are made of. It’s very difficult. She was the nicest, kindest, sweetest person you could ever meet. A beautiful person. They were a lovely family and they [the daughters] were lovely girls.

“They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares. I feel for their eldest daughter and John. I can’t imagine what it would be like.”

Hannah Hunt worked as a beautician in Radlett, Hertfordshire, while her younger sister ran a successful dog grooming business in Bushey, where the family lived.

Posting a tribute, Hannah’s colleagues said they were struggling to come to terms with the news.

In a post on Facebook, The Anti-Ageing Clinic said: “She was a fantastic therapist, and clients loved her. We send our condolences and prayers to her dad, sister and family. She was very much a part of our team. Please bear with us at this terrible time.”

Su Kehinde, 60, a neighbour of the family, paid tribute to them as she laid flowers close to their home. She said: “They were the loveliest, gentlest family. They did not deserve this. They were beautiful souls.”

Writing on Louise’s social media, Kara Gregory wrote: A beautiful, kind-hearted soul taken way too soon. I’ll cherish our memories working together; Louise, fly high sweet angel.”

Also posting on the page, Carol Lynne Oates wrote: “The nation is in shock and utter disbelief at such a senseless act. A beautiful family gone, for what? 

“My prayers go to you, Hannah and your mum. May you all RIP. I hope your dad and wider family can somehow find the strength and courage to carry on.”

Meanwhile, detectives investigating the killings have carried out further searches at a house in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, where it is believed Clifford lived.

Police staff wearing gloves and face masks were seen outside the property, which was first searched on Wednesday.

Joe Biden has referred to Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” and Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump”, in a pair of significant gaffes set to worsen the crisis engulfing his presidency.

The US president, who is facing calls to stand down over concerns about his age, confused the Ukrainian president with the Russian leader on stage at an international summit.

He then referred to Ms Harris, his vice president, as “Vice President Trump”.

The gaffes came at the end of a Nato summit in Washington DC, which had been pitched as an opportunity to rescue Mr Biden’s ailing reelection campaign.

Standing on a stage with 23 other allied world leaders, Mr Biden spoke for several minutes about the importance of protecting Ukraine from Russian aggression, before turning to Mr Zelensky and introducing him by the wrong name.

“Now, I want to hand over to the President of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen: President Putin.”

He returned to the microphone and attempted to explain the error. “I’m so focused on beating Putin,” he said.

“I’m better,” Mr Zelensky replied. “You’re a hell of a lot better,” Mr Biden said back.

Ninety minutes later, during a second press conference, Mr Biden was asked whether Kamala Harris was qualified to take over his job if necessary.

“I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, that I think she was not qualified to be president,” he replied.

Donald Trump immediately seized on the moment, writing on social media: “Great job, Joe!”

Within minutes, the clips were being circulated online by official Republican Party accounts.

Mr Biden later defended his health, but said he must do more to “allay” concerns by appearing more often at public events.

The president’s advisers had been braced for the possibility of more errors on the world stage, after two weeks of criticism for his performance at the presidential debate on June 27.

The two slip-ups produced more calls for Mr Biden to end his campaign and make way for a younger candidate.

Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the Democrats must put forward the “strongest candidate possible” to beat Trump, and he “no longer believe[s] that is Joe Biden”.

Polls show that Mr Biden’s popularity has tanked since the debate. He is now behind Trump in almost all swing states, and some previously safe blue states are now “in play” in November.

Thursday’s incidents came as aides worked on a pitch to convince Mr Biden to stand down his presidential campaign, amid concerns he can “never recover” from questions raised about his age in the last two weeks.

Aides on the US president’s campaign and White House teams are working out how to persuade him to leave the race, after concluding that he has no chance of beating Trump.

Earlier this week, the Hollywood star and Democrat donor George Clooney called for Mr Biden to abandon his campaign, while the former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopped short of defending his decision to remain in the race.

Mr Biden’s press conference at the end of the Nato summit was the first event of its kind for eight months.

The US president gave remarks and took questions from journalists for an hour, defending his record on the economy and foreign policy. He also addressed concerns about his age.

Insisting he would stay in the race, he said: “I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started. I think I’m the best qualified person to do the job.”

He said he was “ready” to deal with Mr Putin and Xi Jinping “now, and three years from now”, when he will be 84 years old. He said the “gravity of the situation” required his experience in office.

But Mr Biden also acknowledged that he had dealt poorly with recent criticism from his own party, describing his errors on the debate stage two weeks ago as “stupid”.

“I’m determined on running, but I think it’s important that I allay fears by letting them see me out there,” he said.

Defending his health, he added: “My schedule has been full bore. So if I slow down and I can’t get the job done, that’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it, but there’s no indication of that yet — none.”

He denied a story that he intended to go to bed at 8pm every night, but said he thought it was important to “pace myself”.

“I love my staff, but they add things. They add things all the time. I’m catching hell from my wife,” he said.

Asked whether he would take a cognitive test, he replied: “I’ve taken three significant and intense neurological exams by a neurosurgeon, by a neurologist… as recently as February and they say I’m in good shape.”

“The only thing age does is it creates a little bit of wisdom if you pay attention”.

Mr Biden was asked repeatedly whether he planned to step down if polling data showed that Ms Harris would be more likely to beat Trump in the election.

He replied: “No, unless they came back and said, ‘there’s no way you can win’.”

Leaning into the microphone to whisper to the audience, he added: “No one is saying that. No poll says that.”

He had previously said that only “Lord Almighty” could convince him to step down.

Some Democrats praised Mr Biden for his performance in the latter half of the press conference, when he spoke in detail and without notes on US relations with China, South Korea and Russia.

David Axelrod, a former Barack Obama aide who has called for him to step down, said he was “very comfortable on national security issues”.

However, Mr Biden’s two gaffes in the final hours of the 75th anniversary Nato summit will overshadow three days of intense diplomacy by its member states, as discussion turns to the future of his campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer waved away Mr Biden’s confusion between Mr Zelensky and Mr Putin in his own press conference, arguing that the US president “should be given credit” for the summit.

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, said that “slips of tongue happen”, while Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said Mr Biden was “in charge” and on top of matters.

Mr Biden repeatedly referred to other Nato leaders while defending his record.

He said this week’s Nato summit had been the most successful “for a long time”, and that attendees thanked him for bringing them together.

“I know it sounds self-serving, but other leaders and heads of state have thanked me,  saying: ‘The reason we’re together is because of Biden’,” he said.

The Duke of Sussex said the bond between a mother and son “transcends even the greatest losses” as he was honoured at this year’s ESPY awards in the US.

Last month the decision to give the Duke a sports award named after an US war hero killed in Afghanistan was criticised by the soldier’s mother.

The Duke on Thursday night received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, awarded by sports channel ESPN to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.

The Duke was recognised for founding the Invictus Games a decade ago to support injured and sick servicemen and women – both on active duty and veterans – who are navigating physical and invisible injuries.

The Pat Tillman Award for Service is named after former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.

But Mary, the mother of Pat Tillman, last month told the Mail on Sunday: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.

“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.

“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.”

The Duke opened his speech by acknowledging the family of Mr Tillman, “especially Mrs Mary Tillman – Pat’s mother”.

“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect,” he said.

“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”

It comes ahead of the anniversary of the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The 2024 ESPY (Excellence in Sport Performance Yearly) ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was hosted by tennis champion Serena Williams – a friend of the duchess who also attended the event.

During her opening monologue, Williams joked: “Please Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight, because this is my night, and I don’t want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen.”

ESPN previously said the Duke was being honoured for his “tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport” as the Invictus Games has “transcended borders and impacted lives across every continent”.

The Duke said: “While so much progress has been made since those first games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state.

“We live in an age marked by polarisation and division. Conflicts rage around the globe. Anger and resentment towards those who are different, seem to pervade societies everywhere.

“Our community challenges that. Our community proves that unity is not just possible, but formidable.

“The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together, no matter one’s nationality, background, or personal struggles.

“It is a collective, built from courage and mutual respect, where athletes discover time and time again, the common denominator of their humanity.

“Having survived the crucible of armed combat, and forged through the challenge to rebuild bodies and minds impacted by conflict, they form a family.

“They exemplify the very best in all of us.”

The Duke travelled to the UK in May for a special event at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games.

He served on two front-line tours in Afghanistan and spent 10 years in the British armed forces.

But he was stripped of his military patronages by his grandmother the late Queen in 2021, a year after stepping down as a senior working royal.

The Duke said “I stand here not as Prince Harry”, but as a “voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation”.

“This award belongs to them, not to me. That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes and their amazing families, for their achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this, in front of people like you,” he said.

He concluded his speech making a promise on behalf of the foundation.

“No matter the road ahead, we are here for you, we will leave no one behind,” he added.

Past recipients of the award include Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who waged a high-profile campaign to persuade the Government to provide free meals to vulnerable youngsters in England through the school holidays during the Covid pandemic.

Four people have died after their dinghy capsized as they attempted to cross the Channel, according to the French coastguard.

At least 50 migrants are said to have been rescued after their small boat got into difficulty after leaving the north French coast. British sources confirmed there had been an incident.

Four migrants were reported to have been pulled unconscious from the water and could not be resuscitated by the emergency services who came to assist them, according to La Voix du Nord newspaper.

Their deaths were reported shortly after 7am on Friday. At the same time, it said emergency services had also been deployed to the port of Boulogne where some of the rescued migrants were taken.

At approximately 8am, around 20 migrants wrapped in survival blankets were sheltered in Capécure, near the quay in Boulogne. A rescue operation was still ongoing.

It follows the deaths of five migrants including a woman and a seven year old girl on April 23 when they were crushed in a dinghy carrying 112 people leaving a beach in northern France.

It is the first Channel tragedy since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister last Friday. 

Home Office figures show 419 people made the journey in six boats on Tuesday following 65 on Monday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to date to 14,058.

That is 10 per cent higher than the number recorded this time last year (12,772) and up 6 per cent on the same period in 2022 (13,318), according to Government data.

Nigel Farage, the Reform Party leader, took to X, formerly Twitter, to call for action.

While on his trip to Nato on Wednesday, Sir Keir admitted that the small boats crisis could get worse before it gets better and that numbers coming across the Channel are going up, not down.

He scrapped Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda scheme on his first day in office, with the money to be diverted to a new Border Security Command that oversee the recruitment of hundreds of new officers and investigators tasked to smash the people smuggling gangs.

Police have released an image of a man after two suitcases filled with human remains and leaking blood were left on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

A helicopter and the Coastguard are helping Avon and Somerset Police locate the man, who was taken to the bridge in a taxi.

He is described as black, with a beard and wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket and white trainers. He had a black backpack.

Officers were called at 11.57pm on Wednesday to reports of a man seen “acting suspiciously with a suitcase” on Clifton Suspension Bridge, Avon and Somerset Police said.

A spokesman said officers arrived at the bridge within 10 minutes but the man had already fled the area, “leaving the suitcase behind”. A second suitcase was located nearby a short time later.

The spokesman added: “Sadly, it’s believed the suitcases contain human remains. Our Major Crime Investigation Team has launched an investigation. Locating the man who left the suitcases and identifying the deceased are our priorities.”

Vicks Hayward-Melen, the acting Bristol Commander, described it as a “very disturbing incident”.

She said: “An immediate search of the area was carried out by officers on the ground, with the support of the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard following the discovery of the suitcases. These searches remain ongoing.

“Initial enquiries have established that the man was taken to the bridge in a taxi. The vehicle has been seized, and the driver is helping us with our enquiries.”