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Traveller Family Jailed Over Forced Labour

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 19 Desember 2012 | 23.15

By Isabel Webster, West of England Correspondent

Five members of a traveller family have been jailed for a total of 18 years after being found guilty of forcing vulnerable men to work for them.

The Connors family enjoyed top-of-the-range cars and expensive holidays. But to live the high life, they picked up men - often homeless drifters or addicts - to work for them as labourers.

The victims lived in squalid caravans on traveller sites as they moved around the country working on the Connors' paving and patio businesses.

Some were also ordered to perform humiliating tasks, such as emptying the buckets used as toilets by their bosses.

Slavery court case James and Miles Connors

William Connors, 52, was jailed for six and a half years and his wife Mary, 48, received a sentence of two years and three months.

The couple's son, John, 29, was jailed for four years. Their other son James, 20, got three years detention in a young offender institution. Son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, received a three year prison sentence.

They were all convicted last week at Bristol Crown Court of conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour between April 2010 and March 2011 following a three-month trial.

Mary and her daughters wept as the judge told them they had "exploited" the vulnerable who had chosen "one form of extreme deprivation over another".

Mary walked free after the sentencing due to time she has already served.

Slavery court case John Connors

The men - called "dossers" by the Connors - had worked for the family for nearly two decades.

Many were beaten, hit with broom handles, belts, a rake and shovel, and punched and kicked by the Connors.

The men were paid as little as £5 for a day's hard labour on jobs which would earn the family several thousands of pounds.

They were given so little food that they resorted to scavenging from rubbish bins at supermarkets.

In contrast, the Connors lived in large and well-appointed caravans fitted with luxury kitchens and flat-screen televisions.

William and Mary, known as Billy and Brida, enjoyed exotic holidays, including Dubai and a 10-day cruise around the Caribbean on the Cunard flagship liner Queen Mary 2.

The family also spent the spoils of their enterprise on breaks to Tenerife and Cancun in Mexico.

As well as holidays, they drove around in cars including an A-Class Mercedes saloon, a Rolls-Royce, a red Mini convertible, a Toyota Hilux pick-up, a Ford Ranger and a Mercedes van, and had built up a mounting property portfolio potentially now worth millions of pounds.

Detective Chief Inspector David Selwood, from Gloucestershire Police, said: "Billy Connors is a greedy and arrogant man. This was all about making him a lot of money.

"He could have been a drug dealer or a robber but his criminality was exploiting vulnerable men ... Offering the most vulnerable in society hope and then abusing their trust and making a fortune out of them."

Sixteen vulnerable men were liberated by police following covert surveillance of the family.

It is thought 37 men passed through the Connors' hands over several decades.

DCI Selwood added: "They're trying to move on with their lives but they still live in fear. They fear that William or John will turn up and tap them on the shoulder and say they're going to live with that fear for many years.

"Hopefully now they're locked up it will give them reassurance."


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Lostprophets Singer Facing Child Sex Charges

Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins has appeared in court accused of conspiring to rape a one-year-old girl among other child sex offences.

Watkins, 35, whose band have sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide, was remanded in custody to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on December 31.

The singer, from Pontypridd, is alleged to have conspired with a woman to rape the girl, Cardfiff magistrates were told.

He also stands accused of two incidents of conspiring to engage in sexual touching with two young children; possessing, making and distributing indecent images; and possessing "extreme" animal pornography.

The conspiracy charges related to a period between May 1 and Monday this week, while the indecent images related to a period between August 12 and Monday.

Defending barrister Tom Crowther said his client - dressed in a black hooded top and looking visibly tired - would be denying the charges and argued that his celebrity status could help to enforce bail conditions.

He he said that Lostprophets had cancelled a planned tour, Watkins had no previous convictions and his mother, who was sitting in the public gallery, was willing to put forward her house as a bail surety.

But presiding magistrate Alan Knight opted to remand Watkins - along with two women aged 20 and 24 - in custody.

The women, who face similar child sex allegations, cannot be named for legal reasons. All three will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on December 31.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said earlier that specially-trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding the investigation.

"I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us," he added.

"Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken."

Police are asking anyone with any information concerning the investigation to contact the Operation Globe incident room on 0800 056 0154, or the NSPCC on 0800 389 5347.

Lostprophets have received several Kerrang! Awards and nominations, and have sold around 3.5 million albums worldwide.

Last Train Home and Rooftops were both Top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart, while Last Train Home took the No 1 spot on the Alternative Songs chart.


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Weather: Flood Threat In Run-Up To Christmas

Forecasters have warned people to expect up to seven days of unsettled conditions as a series of wet weather systems engulf the UK.

And pockets of England have been told to prepare for yet more flooding after the Environment Agency issued another round of warnings.

Parts of England and Wales were brought to their knees last month when flood water surged through streets and down roads, cutting off whole communities and forcing dozens to flee their homes.

Rivers burst their banks and fields were flooded as several days' rain fell in just a few hours.

Sections of the transport network also ground to a halt as train travel was disrupted and some small passenger planes grounded.

The UK has experienced pockets of mild, dry weather in the run-up to Christmas, but that is all expected to change from Wednesday.

Sky News Weather Producer Joanna Robinson said: "There'll be long spells of heavy rain over the next few days, accompanied by strong to gale force winds.

"There'll be an increasing risk of local flooding as the week goes on, particularly across south-west England.

"Up to 50mm of rain is possible over the next 48 hours, but there'll be a brief drier and brighter interlude on Friday before yet more heavy rain over the weekend.

"Despite the unsettled conditions it will be on the mild side for many places."

The Environment Agency has placed five areas under flood warnings - the second most serious of three types of weather warnings, meaning some flooding is expected.

There are three such warnings in place in the South West - including the Somerset Levels - and two for the Anglian region.

More than 20 flood alerts were also issued on Tuesday evening, across the UK, meaning residents should be prepared for the risk of flooding.


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Sandy Hook: British Boy's Parents Speak Of Grief

The parents of a six-year-old British boy killed in the Sandy Hook shootings have said they will never regret moving to Connecticut.

Dylan Hockley was one of 20 children and six adults shot dead by gunman Adam Lanza in America's worst school shooting.

He was born in Hampshire to a British father and American mother, Ian and Nicole Hockley, and the family moved to Newtown two years ago.

In a statement released through the British Foreign Office, Dylan's family gave their thanks to the emergency services and first responders who helped on Friday.

"It was an impossible day for us, but even in our grief we cannot comprehend what other people may have experienced," they said.

The couple, who have an older son called Jake, said they had specifically chosen the Sandy Hook area to move to because of its close community and Sandy Hook Elementary School, where the massacre took place.

"Sandy Hook and Newtown have warmly welcomed us since we moved here two years ago from England. We do not and shall never regret this choice. Our boys have flourished here and our family's happiness has been limitless."

The gun debate

They praised the staff at the school including head teacher Dawn Hochsprung, who was killed as she confronted Lanza as he entered the school, and teacher Vicki Soto, who was hailed a hero as she tried to protect her pupils by hiding them in cupboards.

"Though our hearts break for Dylan, they are also filled with love for these and the other beautiful women who all selflessly died trying to save our children."

The statement reads: "Everyone who met Dylan fell in love with him. His beaming smile would light up any room and his laugh was the sweetest music. He loved to cuddle, play tag every morning at the bus stop with our neighbours, bounce on the trampoline, play computer games, watch movies, the colour purple, seeing the moon and eating his favourite foods, especially chocolate.

"He was learning to read and was so proud when he read us a new book every day. He adored his big brother Jake, his best friend and role model. 

"There are no words that can express our feeling of loss. We will always be a family of four, as though Dylan is no longer physically with us, he is forever in our hearts and minds. We love you Mister D, our special gorgeous angel."

President Barack Obama is expected to appoint Vice President Joe Biden to head a government panel to formulate a response to gun violence in the wake of the Newtown school massacre.


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Hillsborough: High Court Orders New Inquests

The High Court has quashed the original accidental death verdicts for the Hillsborough victims and ordered new inquests to be held.

The landmark ruling was welcomed by the families of the 96 Liverpool supporters who were killed 23 years ago, and came shortly after the Home Secretary announced a new police investigation into the disaster.

Three months ago, a damning report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed a widespread cover-up by police to put officers in a favourable light and deflect blame for the disaster on to Liverpool fans.

More than 40 families had travelled to London to attend the High Court hearing, and many applauded when the ruling by Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge was announced in the packed courtroom.

Others watched by videolink from Liverpool, where some cried at the news and the mayor called it a "watershed moment".

Lord Judge expressed regret that the families had to go through such a "dispiriting and prolonged" process.

The Attorney General Dominic Grieve said the main basis for his application to have the verdicts quashed was new medical evidence made public in the report by Hillsborough Independent Panel.

Supporters crushed against the barrier as disaster strikes The Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989. Pic: David Cannon/Allsport

"It is bitter-sweet. We have known the truth for 23 years," said Michelle Carlile, 44, clutching a photograph of her brother Paul, 19, who died at Hillsborough.

Trevor Hicks, chair of Hillsborough Family Support Group, told reporters outside the courtroom: "Justice is on its way. Everything we've said has been proven to be correct."

The Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989, when their team played Nottingham Forest in a semi-final of the FA Cup.

Watching from videolink in Liverpool, Cathy Crane, whose brother Gary Jones died in the disaster aged 18, said she felt "pleased and delighted".

"It has just been very difficult over the last 23 years. Every day having to fight for the honour of someone who you love and today, at least, people will start to understand what we have gone through."

Marion Brady, whose son Paul was crushed to death, said: "At last we feel we are getting somewhere."

Hillsborough inquests court case Trevor Hicks lost two daughters in the disaster

The new police investigation will be led by former Durham chief constable Jon Stoddart, and will focus specifically on the 96 deaths.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

Mr Stoddart will be able to recruit investigators and staff to his team, but he will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers with any prior connection to the Hillsborough disaster.

He is also unable to recruit any officers or former officers who worked in the West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police forces.

"I am aware of the great significance and personal responsibility which comes with leading this criminal investigation," he said.

"My first priority is to meet with as many of the families as possible and to establish a working open relationship with them throughout the investigation."

Mr Stoddart added he had already held some meetings and had been "struck by the families' humility and steadfast determination to see justice delivered for their loved ones".

Reacting to the ruling in London, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96, and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest verdicts have been quashed."

He expressed hope that as a result of the new police investigation "those that played a role in causing the disaster and the monumental cover-up are brought to account."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron told campaigners for a tax break on sales of a charity single in aid of Hillsborough to expect good news.

The version of the Hollies' hit He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by The Justice Collective will help cover the legal costs of the victims' families. Campaigners want it to benefit from a VAT waiver, granted in the past to similar charity singles.

"I think I can confidently predict there will be a decision that will go down well in Merseyside," Mr Cameron said.


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Savile Inquiry: Ex-Radio One Producer Held

Detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal have arrested former Radio One producer Ted Beston, Sky sources say.

The suspect was arrested at around 6.30am on suspicion of sexual offences and has been taken into custody at a south London police station.

Sky's crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "He was a long-time producer of Jimmy Savile's radio programmes, in fact at the time that the scandal broke reporters went to question him simply because he was one of those who worked so closely with Jimmy Savile for more than 10 years.

"He said at the time, back in October, that the revelations were a big shock, very upsetting for him, and what was being revealed was a side of Jimmy Savile that he never knew."

The 76-year-old, who worked with Savile in the 60s and 70s, was arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation into allegations of sexual abuse surrounding Savile and others.

The probe has three strands - claims against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others.

Scotland Yard said the latest arrest falls under the strand of the investigation termed "Savile and others".

The man is the eighth person to be arrested by Operation Yewtree detectives.

Other high-profile names arrested in connection with the investigation - set up in the wake of the Savile abuse scandal - include former pop star Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and publicist Max Clifford.

On Monday, Starr and Clifford were re-bailed to dates in February and March pending further enquiries.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, and a man in his 70s, reported to be former television producer Wilfred De'Ath, were previously re-bailed to dates in February.

Last week police said a total of 31 allegations of rape have been made against Savile so far.

Some 589 people have come forward with information relating to the scandal, with a total of 450 complaints against the BBC presenter and DJ himself, mainly alleging sexual abuse, Scotland Yard said.


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WWII Arctic Convoy Veterans To Get Medals

Veterans of the Second World War Arctic Convoys who delivered supplies to the Soviet Union are to be awarded medals, the Prime Minister has announced.

The decision caps a long battle for recognition by the veterans, who embarked on what Winston Churchill called the "worst journey in the world" to keep supply lines open.

More than 3,000 seamen died in Operation Dervish, which for four years, starting in 1941, delivered material to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

David Cameron told MPs he had accepted the recommendations of a review of military medals carried out by former diplomat Sir John Holmes.

He added that "the heroic aircrews should be awarded a Bomber Command Clasp".

"Sir John has recommended and I fully agree, there will be an Arctic Convoy Star medal," Mr Cameron announced at Prime Minister's Questions.

"I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic Convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did."

Only a few hundred veterans are thought to still be alive.

Their efforts to secure formal recognition had been repeatedly rebuffed over many years on the grounds of protocol and because the Cold War had made the decision politically unpalatable.

Commander Eddie Grenfell, a veteran and leading campaigner for recognition, said he was "pleased but not delighted" and accused Mr Cameron of taking too long.

"In the meantime God knows how many of my Arctic Convoy chums have died waiting," said the 92-year-old from Portsmouth.

Cmdr Grenfell, one of the few to be rescued when his ship was blown to pieces on one mission, served in a number of theatres during the war but said none was as horrific as the Arctic.

pg-greenpeace-glaciers-7 Operation Dervish started in 1941. Photo provided by Greenpeace

Once the conflict ended, he said, it was impossible to campaign for a medal for helping the Russians since Moscow was then the enemy.

When relations thawed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, an attempt to secure recognition was refused because of a rule saying medals can be awarded only within five years of the end of a war.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, another prominent campaigner, welcomed the decision to address what she said was a "huge injustice" but urged the Government to act swiftly on its promise.

"After years of waiting, time is no longer a luxury that these brave men have on their side," she said.


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Nissan To Build Luxury Car Model At UK Plant

Car giant Nissan is to build a new luxury model in the UK, creating 1,000 jobs with a £250m investment.

The new global model will be manufactured at the Japanese firm's plant in Sunderland, which employs 6,000 workers.

The car, built under Nissan's Infiniti premium brand, is set to be produced from 2015.

It will be developed with help from Nissan's design centre in London and technical centre in Cranfield and then exported around the world, the firm said.

Around 280 of the new jobs will be in Sunderland, with the rest in other sites across the country.

Because of capacity limitations at Sunderland, securing the new Infiniti will mean that a C-segment hatchback previously announced for the plant in April will be manufactured elsewhere, said the company.

The North East plant will build more than half a million cars this year, the first UK manufacturer to achieve this milestone.

Nissan car factory The new model will be made at the Nissan factory in Sunderland

Colin Dodge, Nissan's executive vice-president and chief performance officer, said: "This milestone, our first premium product to be manufactured at Sunderland, reconfirms our commitment to UK manufacturing and the ongoing success of the plant which is moving up the value chain.

"Just as important, the new Infiniti, which will be exported around the world, is being developed with help from our London design centre and our European Technical Centre."

Business Secretary Vince Cable, who will attend a ceremony in Sunderland to mark the announcement, said: "Sunderland will be the only place in the world to make this new premium compact car.

"Nissan in the UK goes from strength to strength. Not only will the new car be made here and exported all over the world, the UK has already contributed to its design and development.

"Today's news is a strong endorsement of the quality of Britain's car industry which is creating jobs, taking on apprentices and contributing to building a stronger economy.

"The auto sector is living up to being one of the great success stories of our industrial strategy and a testimony to government and private sector working together in close partnership."


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BBC Savile Report: News Boss Quits

The Deputy Director of BBC News has quit after the publication of a damning report into the axing of a Newsnight programme on Jimmy Savile.

At a news conference to address the highly critical findings, the BBC announced the departure of Stephen Mitchell, who had been with the corporation for 38 years.

Mr Mitchell was one of several high-profile figures at the organisation to be criticised in an independent report, led by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News.

In a statement Mr Mitchell said that he had quit following the "strain over the past month" but rejected criticisms levelled at him by the review, which cost £2m.

George Entwistle. Former BBC chief George Entwistle says he feels vindicated by the report

The report said that the decision by Newsnight's former editor, Peter Rippon, to shelve the programme into Savile's "dark side" was "seriously flawed", but taken in "good faith".

Mr Rippon immediately rejected the criticism and said he had never "shirked from my responsibilities".

However, BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said the BBC accepted the review in its "entirety".

The BBC also announced that it had put in place a new editorial team at Newsnight, as well as accepting Mr Mitchell's departure.

The report paints a picture of a top-down organisation with rivalries and factional fighting.

It said the BBC's management system "proved completely incapable of dealing" with the issues raised by the axing of the story.

It added that "the level of chaos and confusion was even greater than was apparent at the time".

Savile Newsnight reportBBC Stephen Mitchell (left) and Peter Rippon

The report found: "The decision to drop the original investigation was flawed and the way it was taken was wrong but I believe it was done in good faith.

"It was not done to protect the Savile tribute programmes or for any improper reason."

The report came at the same time as a review, by the BBC Trust, into a Newsnight report leading to the wrongful identification of Lord McAlpine as a paedophile.

That report concluded that the error had resulted largely from a failure by members of the team to follow the BBC's own editorial guidelines.

Among the senior figures criticised in the Pollard report are former Director General George Entwistle and director of news Helen Boaden.

The review blamed in part an "apparent adherence to rigid management chains" for the failure to deal with the issue.

It said Ms Boaden's attempt to alert Mr Entwistle to potential problems posed by the story during an industry lunch was "too casual".

Nick Pollard. Nick Pollard presents the report

She is also criticised for not taking "greater responsibility" as the crisis grew.

Mr Entwistle, who resigned after 54 days in the top job, was criticised for appearing to "have taken a long time to take any real control" of the problems at the BBC.

However, Mr Entwistle responded with a statement saying he felt he had been completely vindicated.

"I am pleased that the Pollard Report makes it clear I played no part whatever in Newsnight's decision not to broadcast the original Savile investigation - just as I was not personally to blame in any way for the journalistic failures on Newsnight when it broadcast its erroneous report about the North Wales care home," he said.

The review concluded that the BBC does not have to be taken down "brick by brick" but said the Director General's role as editor-in-chief needs to be examined.

It also said it "raises a question about the insularity of some people within the BBC" who are described as being unaware of wider industry practices.

Also criticised was Mr Mitchell, who decided to remove the Savile investigation from the corporation's Managed Risk Programmes List (MRPL).

The MRPL is an internal mechanism to flag up stories that contain some element of potential danger including risk to the BBC's reputation.

Mr Pollard described that decision as "critical", adding: "It was important to establish why he had done this. Very unfortunately, he could offer no convincing reason".

Mr Pollard said that if it had stayed on the MRPL some of what followed "might well have been avoided".

The report also paints an unflattering picture of relations between staff on Newsnight and in the wider BBC.

It said the decision to cancel the story led to disagreements between show boss Peter Rippon and his journalists and "relationships... began to break down".

It found there was no "undue pressure" on Mr Rippon from his bosses to drop the story, but said his decision to do so "was seriously flawed".

It went on: "He made a bad mistake in not examining the evidence properly".

It also describes the background to his blog post on the issue, which was later corrected after being found to be factually incorrect, as "chaotic".

The evidence given to the review also reveals Mr Entwistle refused to speak to Newsnight reporter Meirion Jones off-the-record because he "didn't trust him to have an off-the-record conversation".

It also includes evidence from Ms Boaden that Mr Entwistle told her he would not accept her resignation but was going to make a public statement that would make "it impossible for Peter [Rippon] not to resign".

The report includes sections of an email sent to Mr Entwistle two years before becoming Director-General.

The email tells him an obituary for Savile had not been done because of "the darker side" to his life though Mr Entwistle told the inquiry he had not read it.

The review said the email, and others like it, indicates "there was knowledge, not just rumour ... about the unsavoury side of Savile's character" in BBC TV shortly after his death.

Speaking outside Broadcasting House in central London, Mr Jones criticised the BBC for pulling the story.

He said: "I hope the BBC takes measures to make sure nothing like that will ever happen again. What I do feel confident about though is the BBC has now taken measures to make sure that children are safe here."

Meanwhile the BBC Trust review into the McAlpine error described the incident as a "grave breach which had been costly to all concerned".

The Trust said it resulted in the public being misled.

Yesterday Lord McAlpine agreed £310,000 in damages from the BBC and ITV over the wrongful allegations.


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Afghanistan: More Troops To Come Home In 2013

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Almost 4,000 British troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of next year as efforts continue to hand over control to the country's own security forces.

The removal of around 3,800 soldiers in 2013 will be the first step as coalition forces look towards a complete withdrawal of combat troops by the end of 2014.

David Cameron announced the move during Prime Minister's Questions and said it reflected the progress being made by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)

Exact details of how troops will leave are yet to be announced but it is likely they will not be replaced when they leave at the end of their usual rotations.

Some 500 British troops are returning from Afghanistan on Wednesday, taking numbers to 9,000. This will now shrink to 5,200 by the end of 2013.

Mr Cameron made clear that there would still be a British presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014, as support for national authorities.

Britain will also contribute £70m-a-year to help pay for the ANSF and another £70m-a-year in international aid for the country, he told MPs.

Afghan National Army soldiers arrive at the site of an attack in Jalalabad The Afghan National Army is increasingly taking control

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond added: "We have consistently said that there will not be a cliff-edge reduction in troop numbers at the end of 2014.

"This gradual drawdown is firmly in line with the planning of our Isaf partners and the advice of military commanders.

"UK forces will continue to operate alongside their Afghan counterparts, albeit in lower numbers, until our combat operations cease at the end of 2014.

"There remain huge challenges ahead for the Afghan people. Our combat mission is drawing to a close, but our commitment to the Afghan people is long term."

The decision was taken after a meeting of the National Security Council where the chief of defence staff General Sir David Richards outlined a number of options.

Mr Cameron also spoke to US President Barack Obama for about an hour on Tuesday, during which the leaders agreed plans for 2014 are "on track".

The US currently has 68,000 troops in Afghanistan and an announcement about its own withdrawal plans - put on hold during the presidential election - is expected within days.

Military officials insist the plans are a sign of increasing and sufficient ability among Afghan forces despite fears of infiltration by the Taliban.

Over 75% of the population is now being secured by native authorities and at least 80% of patrols are being led by them.

There is still concern about the lack of suitable leaders in the country, which has prompted the creation of an Afghan Officers Academy in Kabul.

There is also a strong economic argument for withdrawal because of the vast cost of the conflict, reported to be £2.5bn-a-year.

Chancellor George Osborne is believed to be one of the Cabinet ministers keen to see troops return as soon as possible in order to free up money to spend elsewhere.

All Nato combat operations are due to finish at the end of 2014 with local forces taking control.

But earlier this month the Pentagon published a report which found that only one of the Afghan National Army's 23 brigades is capable of operating independently.

It also concluded that the Taliban remains resilient, which has been clear from a spate of so-called "green on blue" attacks this year - when rogue Afghan soldiers kill Nato colleagues.

To date, some 438 British soldiers and civilians have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in October 2001.


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