Mourners pay tribute to Rhyl soldier killed in Afghanistan

The repatriation of Lance Corporal Michael Taylor, who was killed in Afghanistan

MOURNERS last night paid tribute to seven soldiers killed in Afghanistan – including a dad-of-three from Rhyl – as they were repatriated back to the UK.

Tears were shed as the body of Lance Corporal Michael Taylor, of 40 Commando Royal Marines, arrived back on British soil.

A private ceremony was held before the cortege passed through Wootton Bassett, where it has become tradition for hundreds of people to line the high street in respect.

Ministers 'complacent' on terrorism

The coalition Government has been accused of "creeping complacency" in the face of the threat of terrorism, by former Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

The Labour MP said he is concerned a shake up of police powers and counter terrorism laws could leave the public more vulnerable to extremists.

Speaking at the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) annual conference in Manchester, Mr Johnson said people are willing to commit "murder and mayhem on an unprecedented scale".

Cameron defends new prison plans

David Cameron has defended controversial proposals by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke to send fewer criminals to prison and to issue more community sentences.

The Prime Minister said the coalition Government had been forced to take radical action to deal with the "complete mess" that Labour had made of the the criminal justice system.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, he denied that the Government had abandoned the "prison works" philosophy of the former Conservative home secretary Michael Howard.

Harman warns of job market 'misery'

Harriet Harman has warned of "abject misery" in the jobs market after leaked Treasury documents suggested last week's Budget could drive up unemployment by as much as 1.3 million.

At Commons question time, the acting Labour leader seized on the "secret Treasury analysis" to attack the Government's strategy of cuts to public services.

But Prime Minister David Cameron accused her of scoring a "spectacular own goal", insisting unemployment was forecast to fall "every year under this Government". He said that, under Labour's plans, there would have been 70,000 fewer public sector jobs next year.