Man arrested on suspicion of killing 13-year-old girl after 31 years

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 13-year-old girl, three decades after she vanished.

Lindsay Rimer was 13 years old when she went missing in Hebden Bridge in November 1994. She had left her home to buy a packet of cornflakes from the Spar supermarket in Crown Street.

She was initially believed to have run away, but five months later, in April 1995, her body was found by two canal workers at Rawden Mill Lock on the Rochdale Canal, about a mile from the centre of Hebden Bridge.

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police arrested a man on Monday morning at an undisclosed UK prison, where he is serving a sentence for other offences. The suspect will be interviewed over the course of Monday and Tuesday. He is expected to be bailed and returned to prison while enquiries continue, the force said.

Officers have also approached a number of specific potential witnesses in the Hebden Bridge and wider Halifax area, who were identified by the investigation.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “We remain very firmly committed to doing everything we can to get justice for Lindsay, and to give her family the answers they still so desperately need after all these years.

“The arrest we have made today comes as a result of our continued focus on progressing the investigation. We are keeping Lindsay’s family updated and, while we appreciate the understandable public interest that today’s arrest will bring, we do not anticipate any immediate developments at this stage.

“Although it is now more than 30 years since Lindsay was murdered, we remain convinced there is someone out there who has vital information that could finally help to ease her family’s pain, and we urge them do the right thing and tell us what they know.”

Anyone with further information has been urged to contact police by calling 101 and quoting Operation Posemill, or sending a text or voicemail to 07707 147314.

No more tinkering, chancellor – it’s time to rip up the tax system

With a tax-raising Budget looming, every think tank and its aunts, uncles and cousins are busy sharing their fever dreams of what Rachel Reeves should and shouldn’t be doing. Chancellor, chancellor! Listen to me…

But if there’s one person she ought to be taking seriously, it’s Isaac Delestre, senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), who hit the nail when he said: “The last thing we need in November is directionless tinkering and half-baked fixes.” What Britain’s faltering economy needs instead is something… dramatic.

Fortunately, the IFS report not only contains good – and dramatic – ideas, but some of them might actually work.

As we know, Reeves is in a nasty bind, with a multi-billion-pound fiscal black hole sucking the life out of Keir Starmer’s government. She has to plug it, because if she doesn’t, she risks plunging the nation into a financial crisis. You can’t buck the markets – just ask Liz Truss – and the markets have made it clear that Reeves must stick to her fiscal rules. They hold that the government should not borrow to fund day-to-day expenditure.

The black hole – now estimated to have hit £40bn – has been created because the chancellor isn’t bringing in enough from taxes. A sluggish economy only makes the hole bigger. Her job is likely to be further complicated if the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR), which marks chancellors’ homework, downgrades its economic forecasts following her second Budget.

The problem for Reeves is that she can’t turn to any of the easiest ways to raise revenue: hiking income tax, VAT or national insurance. Labour promised not to increase them in its manifesto.

There are also significant problems with targeting the next four biggest contributors: corporation tax, business rates, council tax and fuel duties, not least the promises Reeves made not to hit business again after she hiked employer national insurance contributions (NICs).

What about a “wealth tax”, a popular idea with the country at large? In a recent YouGov poll, 49 per cent said they would “strongly support” a wealth tax of 2 per cent on those with more than £10m in assets, with 26 per cent being “somewhat” supportive.

But the IFS cautions against – because it would incentivise wealthy people to leave, or not come in the first place, while discouraging saving. The hard fact is that Britain is heavily reliant on a small number of very wealthy taxpayers – people earning more than £200k, or who have more than £2m in assets. These people account for 25 per cent of the UK’s tax take. Squeeze them too hard and they’ll be buying plane tickets. A wealth tax would do that.

The IFS also worries about changes to the tax breaks for saving through a pension. I can understand this. The UK needs to encourage greater pension saving.

So what would the IFS do? It argues that tax rises should go hand-in-hand with tax reforms to address an (often) unfair system that often hurts growth and is full of perverse incentives. An example of that would be the stamp duty on houses that Kemi Badenoch has promised to scrap. It disincentivises moving.

Reforms to property tax (and capital gains tax) would, says the IFS, be a good place to start.

Council tax, particularly in England, is highly regressive. Poorer people living in smaller houses pay disproportionately more than do those who live in large, comfortable homes. Absurdly, property valuations in England are based on a system dating back to 1991. The IFS argues for new property tax which would be “proportional, and based on up-to-date property values” to replace both council tax and stamp duty.

Designing such a levy would be a big task. It should be a long-term goal. But Reeves could at least start on the iniquities of council tax by doubling what those in the top two bands pay. So, a mansion tax? Call it what you will. Such a move would net £4bn. Abolishing relief on inheritance tax for main homes could add a further £6bn. All of a sudden, we’re halfway there.

The IFS also thinks Reeves should look at reforming VAT. For a start, there is a sizeable “tax gap” because small businesses don’t pay as much as they should, thanks to cash-in-hand and the like. Yes, this would make some business owners cross – but cheating is costing too much.

Where the IFS gets more radical is with its argument to broaden the VAT base. The UK allows far more exemptions and zero-rated items than other countries. A 1 per cent levy on zero-rated items – which include some basic foodstuffs, prescription medicines, and children’s clothing and textbooks – would deliver £4.1bn, and go some way towards addressing the £80bn-plus that the zero-rated items are costing the exchequer.

I’m afraid this is where the IFS is entering the sort of fantasy-land the Institute for Public Policy Research strayed into by arguing that Reeves should raise so-called sin taxes – namely, duty on alcohol – a move that would see her dubbed a killjoy by punters and a wrecker by the beleaguered hospitality industry.

Putting a penny on zero-rated items would raise a substantial chunk of change. But it would mean taxing food at a time when inflation is running hot. Supermarket inflation is currently a significant concern, with the latest data showing that food and drink prices increasing annually by around 5 per cent.

Scrapping zero rates on some items – say, magazines – would seem easier to swallow. As the IFS points out, why should music lovers pay VAT on a product that brings them joy when those who are fond of reading celebrity gossip sheets get a free ride? The only downside is that the move mightn’t raise that much.

Reeves will likely extend the freeze on income tax thresholds, dragging ever more people into higher bands as their pay goes up, which comes dangerously close to breaking that manifesto pledge to not increase taxes on “working people”. Nobody said this was going to be easy.

However, there is still much in the IFS paper that Reeves should consider. Its rescriptions might even create some winners (previous Reeves tax hikes have left only losers). Careful, strategic tax reform is also surely overdue.

Here’s the problem: the IFS’s employees tend to be strategic thinkers, with their eyes on long-term benefits. People like that are hard to find in the current government, which has lurched from crisis to crisis, responding to each with quick fixes that the think tank decries.

Some of the best IFS ideas – notably, property tax reform – would also require a degree of political courage. It is in part because they so clearly lack it that the political class sometimes appears to be allergic to any good ideas. I’d love to read a paper with some suggestions on how to fix that.

Tommy Robinson ‘stopped at the border driving a Bentley to Benidorm with thousands in cash’

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson was stopped at the border in a silver Bentley SUV with thousands in cash, a trial has heard.

The 42-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was driving to the Spanish tourist hotspot of Benidorm when he was stopped by officers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.

Police were suspicious of Robinson’s “vague replies” about what he was doing and demanded access to his iPhone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

The act gives police the power to stop anyone passing through a UK port “to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

Robinson told police he would not give up the PIN for his phone because he did not want them to see his “journalist material”.

The campaigner had more than £13,000 and €1,900 (£1,650) on him when he was stopped, his trial heard.

He denies failing to comply with the counterterrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year.

Opening the case on Monday, prosecutor Jo Morris said officers “became concerned” about the far-right activist’s “demeanour” after he drove alone into the police inspection area.

“He gave short, vague replies and made no eye contact,” she continued.

Robinson, who was recognised by police, was led to an interview room and his phone was seized, the court heard.

Asked to hand over the phone’s PIN, Robinson replied: “Not a chance bruv… you look like c*** so you ain’t having it.”

“It’s my work, I’m a journalist,” he said, adding that the phone held information about “vulnerable girls”.

“The process by which journalistic material would be protected was explained to him,” Ms Morris said.

PC Mitchell Thorogood, of the Channel Tunnel policing team, told the court that Robinson arrived on the day to buy his tickets rather than booking in advance, which he said was “unusual”.

He was also travelling in a high-value car that was not registered under his name, the trial heard.

Under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, the person who is detained can be held for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions, and must provide the password or PIN for electronic devices or be held to have committed a criminal offence if they refuse.

Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, suggested the stop may have been “discriminatory” against Robinson’s political beliefs.

Robinson sat in the dock wearing a waistcoat and tie, and paced up and down looking at his phone during a break in the trial.

If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three months and/or receive a £2,500 fine.

Robinson denies the charge, and the trial continues.

Two inmates charged with murder after Ian Watkins dies in prison

Two men have been charged with murder after paedophile former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins died in prison.

Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were charged with murder after Watkins, 48, was pronounced dead after being seriously assaulted at HMP Wakefield on Saturday morning.

The pair appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday morning, West Yorkshire Police said.

The men were brought out separately and each only spoke to confirm their names and dates of birth during the brief hearing. Both were remanded in custody until they are due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to the prison in West Yorkshire on Saturday morning after reports Watkins was attacked with a knife. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Watkins had been serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences.

Watkins pleaded guilty to 13 charges in 2013, including trying to rape a baby, sexually touching a one-year-old, encouraging a fan to abuse her child and making indecent images of children.

At the time of his sentencing, Judge John Royce described Watkins as a manipulative and dangerous sexual predator who had abused his fame to help satisfy his “insatiable lust”.

The prison went into lockdown in the immediate aftermath of Watkins’ killing, it was reported.

Watkins had previously been stabbed in an incident at the same prison in 2023, suffering non-life-threatening injuries after he was reportedly taken hostage by three other inmates for six hours.

He appeared back in court in 2019 for possessing a phone behind bars, and described his fellow inmates as “murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst”.

The prison, which has been in use since 1594, is a high-security facility with an ultra-secure unit for the country’s most dangerous prisoners, and is known for holding some of the UK’s most notorious murderers and sexual offenders. Previous prisoners include Harold Shipman, Charles Bronson, and Ian Huntley – though the latter is now imprisoned in HMP Frankland, another high-security prison.

This year, an inspection of HMP Wakefield revealed a facility grappling with “ageing and deteriorating infrastructure” and a shifting prisoner demographic, which the report said “challenged its ability to deliver safe, decent and purposeful outcomes”.

The July report also found that “violence had increased markedly since our last inspection, with a 62 per cent rise in incidents and a 72 per cent increase in serious assaults”.

It added: “Many prisoners told us they felt unsafe, particularly older men convicted of sexual offences who increasingly shared the prison with a growing cohort of younger prisoners.”

In 2014, Watkins was told he could not appeal against the length of his 29-year jail term.

Watkins’ lawyers suggested he should have his jail term cut because his last-minute guilty plea spared a jury from having to watch his homemade abuse imagery.

However, the Court of Appeal turned down his application, with presiding judge Lord Justice Pitchford saying: “These were offences against infant children of such shocking depravity that a very lengthy sentence of imprisonment was demanded.

“It is not demonstrated the total sentence of 29 years together with the extended licence period was arguably manifestly excessive. Accordingly, the application in his case is refused.”

Among the disturbing videos due to be shown at his trial were his attempted rape of a baby and a webcam chat in which he instructed a fan to abuse her child.

Watkins was given 14- and 15-year consecutive prison terms for engaging in sexual activity with a child and the attempted rape of an 11-month-old baby.

He was also convicted of 11 other offences, with those sentences running alongside his 29-year term.

Lionesses legend Millie Bright announces international retirement

England centre-back Millie Bright, who won Euro 2022 before leading the Lionesses to the 2023 World Cup final as captain, has announced her international retirement at the age of 32.

The Chelsea captain missed England’s triumph at Euro 2025 due to mental and physical burnout, but has returned to action for her club this season after undergoing minor knee surgery in the summer.

After a nine-year international career that resulted in 88 England caps, Bright announced her retirement on her podcast, which she co-hosts along with former England team-mate Rachel Daly.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman paid tribute to Bright’s international career by calling her an “England legend” and a “true leader”.

“The reality of the last decade wearing the Three Lions has surpassed even my wildest dreams,” Bright said. “It’s been beyond special for me and I wish it could last forever.

“However, in football all good things must come to an end and with that I have decided to retire from international football.

“For me personally, it’s a decision I have taken to ensure I can commit fully to my club football and give Chelsea everything they need from me.

“I always want to leave an environment and team in a better place than I found it, so what better time to step aside and let the next generation of Lionesses come through after what they achieved this summer.

“I know they will go on to achieve even greater things in the years to come and I’ll be their biggest fan.

“To all my teammates, coaches, staff, friends, family and of course the fans, thank you. Your belief and support have meant the world to me and is something I’ll forever cherish.”

Having also represented the Lionesses at Euro 2017 and the 2019 World Cup, as well as Great Britain at the Olympic Games in 2021, Bright formed a defensive partnership with Leah Williamson after Wiegman took charge of the England team.

She started every game as England won their first major honour since 1966 at Wembley, with the Lionesses defeating Germany in the final, before taking the armband when Williamson was ruled out of the 2023 World Cup due to injury.

Bright’s presence in defence and leadership off the pitch was crucial as the Lionesses reached the final in Sydney, where they lost 1-0 to Spain. Following the tournament, Bright was awarded an OBE for services to football.

After a club season in which Bright led Chelsea to an unbeaten domestic treble, the centre-back decided she was not at “100 per cent mentally or physically” to represent the Lionesses at Euro 2025 and withdrew herself from selection.

“Millie will forever be an England legend for what she has given to her country, and I could never have enough words to praise her impact during my time,” Wiegman said in a statement issued by the FA.

“Whether she had the armband or not, she is a true leader. I know how much respect there is for Millie within the game – not just because she has won so many trophies but because of the way she conducts herself.

“She has made such a big contribution to English football both on and off the pitch and we all have a lot to thank her for. Even though her playing time with the Lionesses may be over, I know she has so much more to give the game.”

Bright has started all seven of Chelsea’s games this season as captain and said she was at a “crossroads” physically and decided to prioritise her remaining club career with the Blues.

“People will probably ask why, and one, it’s for myself,” Bright said on her podcast, Daly Brightness. “It’s a decision I’ve made – one that I’m happy with.

“I watched in the summer and there wasn’t one part of me that thought I’d made the wrong decision. It felt right. Physically, I’m at that crossroads – can I be 50 per cent for each, for England and for Chelsea? I want to be all in.

“To give myself the best chance of doing that and be the best for my club, I probably need to rein it in a little bit. I’m really proud of my England career and just want to say a massive thank you to everyone for your support – especially over the summer. It’s never an easy decision, but it feels like the right one.

“I want my legacy to be about being a winner – a difference maker. Not just someone who was there, but someone who grabbed every opportunity with both hands and wanted to make change.

“I want to be remembered for what I did on the pitch too – someone who’d do anything for anyone, who was reliable, and who gave everything, heart and soul, every single game. But ultimately, I want to be remembered as a true Lioness, someone who represented her country in the right way.”

Wiegman will name her latest England squad on Tuesday ahead of this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Australia.

From galleries and museums, delve into enriching Norwegian experiences

Culture lovers will feel right at home in Norway. Whether you want to delve into its ancient Viking history, learn more about Norwegian traditions, or just explore the countless museums and galleries, there is something for all curious culture seekers. From the colourful fishing villages of Lofoten to the Indigenous Sámi traditions in the north, Norway’s got it all.

The best way to learn about the Norwegian way of life is to go on a Hurtigruten cruise alongside their local Expedition Team, who know Norway better than anyone. Between them, they have many years of knowledge and are on hand to help you delve deep into Norway’s compelling culture. They also provide unique experiences beyond typical tourist spots, with specialised team members hosting lectures and leading optional, guided hikes and activities.

Choose from an Original Voyage or a Signature Voyage, both offering the chance to wholly experience Norwegian history and culture. The former follows the original Coastal Express route founded by Hurtigruten over 130 years ago, traversing up to 34 diverse ports, with opportunities to hop off and explore charming towns, fascinating sites and local experiences, and enjoy delicious Norwegian dishes as you sail, with regional ingredients sourced along the way.

While on premium Signature Voyages, you can enjoy a journey around up to 14 handpicked destinations. Between lengthy on-shore visits, you can enjoy all-inclusive options at the onboard restaurants serving fine Norwegian cuisine amid exquisite surroundings. Every meal tells a story of Norway’s bountiful coastline, from fresh Arctic char and cod to cloudberries and reindeer meat.Read on to discover cultural must-sees and dos you can experience en route…

Start your cultural exploration in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and the starting point for the iconic Coastal Express route, founded in 1893 and one many describe as the world’s most beautiful voyage. This old city goes back to the year 1070 and is brimming with cultural hotspots, like the UNESCO-listed wharves of the colourful Bryggen district. If you have time before you depart, grab lunch from the famous fish market before swinging by the KODE art museum, where you can see works from iconic Norwegian artists like Edvard Munch. You could also hop on the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen for epic views of the city and surrounding fjords.

Further along the route, you’ll visit the Trøndelag region, Norway’s third-largest city, dotted with historic buildings like Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed Norway’s Notre Dame. It’s considered the most sacred building in all of Norway and sits side by side with the Archbishop’s Palace, home to Norway’s crown jewels belonging to the monarchy, dating back more than a thousand years.

The Lofoten Islands are a highlight on the Coastal Express route. This stunning archipelago is known for its towering peaks, fishing villages, and thriving art scene. Visit local galleries scattered around the region, each housing a curated collection that tells a story inspired by the soaring Lofoten peaks and the Arctic waters. Magic Ice Lofoten in Svolvær celebrates ice art and coastal culture, while The Glass Hut Vikten is on the outskirts of the island Flakstadøya and is all about rustic works of art made from glass, inspired by the rugged nature of Norway. And if you want to explore the landscapes behind this, there are also plenty of hiking trails leading to breathtaking viewpoints or the chance to kayak among the waterways.

Some routes also stop at Mehamn, where you can go on an excursion among the Sámi, Europe’s northernmost indigenous people. Sámi history and culture are deeply connected to Arctic nature, which has played a pivotal role in their traditional nomadic way of life. They’re known for their reindeer herding, traditional crafts, and unbreakable bond with nature. You’ll get to spend some time alongside a Sámi family and learn about their traditions, reindeer culture, and traditional crafts, known as duodji.

You’ll also have ample time to explore Tromsø on Hurtigruten’s North Cape Line on one of their premium, all-inclusive Signature Voyages. It’s the gateway to the Arctic and home to the Polar Museum, where you can learn all about exploration in the region. The Northern Norway Art Museum here celebrates Norwegian and international art, including contemporary Northern and Sámi art and crafts. You’ll have plenty of time here, so enjoy a meal at Bardus in Tromsø for authentic Norwegian dishes, like reindeer steak with lingonberries, or try Fiskekompaniet for locally sourced fish and shellfish, all prepared in a traditional Norwegian way.

Whether feasting on fish in Tromsø or gallivanting around the museums of Lofoten, Hurtigruten Cruises provide the perfect way to get to know the history, heritage and culture of Norway alongside those who know it best.

Book your Norwegian adventure for less, with up to 30% off, plus 10% off excursions on selected Coastal Express and North Cape Line voyages. For offers, routes and excursion info, visit Hurtigruten.

Greenpeace threatens to sue Crown Estate for driving up energy prices

Greenpeace UK claimed the Crown Estate is treating the seabed as “an asset to be milked for profit and outrageous bonuses”, and warned it could take the public body to court.

The campaigning organisation accused the Crown Estate of “monopoly profiteering”, claiming this is inflating energy bills and driving up costs for offshore wind developers and billpayers.

The intervention comes days before a high‑stakes auction in which energy companies will compete for rights to build new wind farms on the seabed.

The Crown Estate, which manages land and property owned by the King and provides revenue to the Treasury and Royal Household, controls leasing of the seabed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – though not Scotland. Developers pay option fees and rents to secure sites, generating significant income for the estate.

The estate made over £1bn in 2024-2025 with profits having “skyrocketed” in recent years, Greenpeace said, turning the seabed into its most lucrative source of revenue.

The group also said the King’s official income will jump from £86.3m this year to £132.1m in 2025-2026, “almost exclusively because of the profits derived from offshore wind”.

Greenpeace said its threat of legal action comes after a “lengthy correspondence and a face-to-face meeting” with the Crown Estate management. The campaign group is now asking for an urgent review of the bidding process, which, in its current form, passes a hefty burden onto UK billpayers.

The group said the current system risks “double charging” billpayers – first through higher leasing costs, and again when power generated by turbines in Scotland cannot be transmitted south to England where demand is higher, so operators are paid to switch turbines off.

Without sector reform, Greenpeace warns, the UK’s push to expand offshore wind will be undermined by unnecessary costs and inefficiencies.

“The Crown Estate should be managing the seabed in the interest of the nation and the common good, not as an asset to be milked for profit and outrageous bonuses,” Greenpeace UK co-executive director Will McCallum said.

“We should leave no stone unturned in looking for solutions to lower energy bills that are causing misery to millions of households. Given how crucial affordable bills and clean energy are to the government’s agenda, the chancellor should use her powers of direction to ask for an independent review of how these auctions are run.”

He added: “If the problem isn’t fixed before the next round, we may need to let a court decide whether or not what’s happening is lawful.”

Greenpeace also called for the “excess profits from the last auction round to be invested in marine recovery” – the restoration of damaged marine habitats to a healthier state.

In an email to The Independent, the Crown Estate said it did not recognise the basis of Greenpeace’s concerns.

“Greenpeace has misunderstood the Crown Estate’s legal duties and leasing processes,” the body said. “Option fees are not fixed by the Crown Estate. They are set by the developers through open, competitive auctions and reflect market appetite at the time.

“As our net revenue is returned to the Treasury, option fees help to ensure that taxpayers benefit from the requisite value from the development of our scarce and precious seabed resource.”

The statement added: “The Crown Estate is accelerating offshore wind in line with government policy to move forward the energy transition at pace and improve energy security.”

The row comes following news that over 100 countries have cut their dependence on fossil-fuel imports, saving themselves hundreds of billions of dollars by continuing to invest in renewables, according to new figures released by the International Energy Agency last week.

Human bones found washed up on popular Devon beach

Human bones have been found on a popular beach in Devon, leading to a police investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police officers were called to the scene at 2.50pm on Saturday after the set of human bones was discovered at Saunton Sands beach, an area popular for longboard surfing.

A forensic archaeologist has been enlisted to analyse the remains and determine the age of the deceased person. A police cordon and an officer remain at the scene as the items are being recovered and enquiries are being carried out.

A police statement read: “Officers were called at 2.50pm on Saturday 11 October following the discovery of human bones at Saunton Sands beach.

“A scene guard remains in place while the items are recovered.

“These will be examined by a forensic archaeologist to determine their age.

“Police enquiries are ongoing.”

Saunton Sands beach is on the North Devon coast, near the village of Braunton.