Mackenzie Michalski was spotted in CCTV leaving multiple nightclubs with her eventual killer

An Irishman has been locked up for 14 years after murdering a young American tourist during an “intimate encounter” after luring her from a Budapest nightclub.

The killer, known only as LTM, strangled 31‑year‑old Mackenzie ‘Kenzie’ Michalski before stuffing her body into a suitcase and trying to dump it miles from the capital city. Detectives launched a search when Kenzie was reported missing on November 5, 2024, trawling through CCTV footage from nearby nightclubs.

This line of inquiry led officers to identify Ms Michalski’s Irish killer when the tourist, from Portland, Oregon, was spotted in footage leaving several nightclubs with the man now behind bars, Dublin Live reports.

Police were able to identify LTM, who was aged 37 at the time, and eventually detain him on November 7 for questioning. The Irishman confessed to the killing.

Investigators said that Ms Michalski and the suspect met at a nightclub and danced before leaving for the man’s rented apartment. Inside, he beat and strangled Ms Michalski while they were engaged in an “intimate encounter”, police described.

On Thursday (July 9), LTM was found guilty of murder and sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole at Budapest’s Metropolitan Court.

The 18 months he has already spent in detention will count toward his sentence, at the end of which the court ordered his deportation from Hungary. The man must also pay 2.5 million forints (£6,000) in court costs. His attorney has appealed against the verdict.

After his arrest in 2024, the suspect insisted Ms Michalski’s death had been accidental. However, investigators said he went to considerable lengths to conceal the killing, scrubbing his apartment and stuffing her body into a wardrobe before buying a suitcase and transferring her remains into it.

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He is then alleged to have rented a car and driven to Lake Balaton, some 90 miles south‑west of Budapest, where he dumped the suitcase in woodland outside the town of Szigliget. Police later released footage showing him leading officers to the spot where he had abandoned the body.

Detectives said his internet history revealed searches on how to dispose of a corpse, police procedures in missing‑person cases, whether pigs consume human remains, and the prevalence of wild boar around Lake Balaton. He also queried online the competence of Budapest’s police force.

City of York Council said vehicle access issues were caused by a utility company’s contractors not setting up in Colliergate as agreed, causing cars to back up on Wednesday, July 8.

Andy D’Agorne, a Green Party activist, said he counted 11 cars belonging to Blue Badge holders who ended up having to find a way out after driving down the street.

Northern Powergrid, the firm behind the works, said they had worked with the council and their delivery partner to ensure they were done safely and minimise disruption.

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It comes as signs and temporary fences were still in place in Colliergate on Thursday, July 9.

Mr D’Agorne told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the works should not have taken place at the same time as cars were being let into the pedestrianised Footstreets through bollards in Goodramgate.

He added it left cars having to drive along the pavement to get out.

The council’s spokesperson said the swift action of their staff resulted in the issue being resolved in less than a day.

Cars parked alongside Northern Powergrid works in Colliergate, York, on Wednesday, July 8 (Image: Andy D’Agorne)

The spokesperson said: “The vehicle access issues were caused by a utility company’s contractors not setting up the site as was agreed with them.

“We thank members of the public for reporting the issue.”

Northern Powergrid’s spokesperson said the safety of its customers, delivery partners, colleagues and the public were a priority during any works it carries out.

The spokesperson said: “Throughout the project, Northern Powergrid and our delivery partner regularly attended the site to oversee the works, maintain safe access for pedestrians, and monitor traffic conditions.

“Additional traffic management measures were also available if required.

“Representatives from the local authority also visited the site during the works and remained engaged with the arrangements in place throughout the project.

“We recognise that roadworks can be inconvenient and may cause delays, and we would like to thank customers for their patience while this essential work was carried out.”

Saltburn-by-the-Sea, perched on the North East/North Yorkshire coast, has repeatedly found itself in the spotlight as one of the region’s most desirable places to live and visit.

The town was recently recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide, where judges praised its “unique coastal setting and vibrant town centre”.

Saltburn (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

It comes after Saltburn was also highlighted by Airbnb as one of the UK’s top “coastal gems” as part of its Unfollow the Crowd campaign, aimed at encouraging travellers to look beyond overcrowded tourist hotspots.

According to Airbnb, search interest for Saltburn-by-the-Sea rose by 39 per cent last year and this year, suggesting more people are discovering what locals have known for years.

The town’s famous pier, which dates back to 1869, remains a focal point for visitors, offering views across the North Sea and a reminder of Saltburn’s long history as a seaside resort.

Nearby, the historic cliff lift continues to carry people between the town and the promenade.

The water-powered funicular, which opened in the 1880s, is one of Saltburn’s best-loved features and adds to the sense that the town has preserved much of its original character.

In recent years, the town has built a reputation for its surf scene, independent cafés, restaurants, bars, and creative businesses.

Its beach regularly attracts surfers and paddleboarders, while walkers are drawn to the Cleveland Way and the surrounding coastline.

Away from the seafront, the town centre offers a mix of independent shops and places to eat and drink, helping to give Saltburn the lively, community-led feel that judges and visitors often point to.

Saltburn (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The town’s history stretches back to the Victorian era, when it was transformed from a small coastal settlement into a planned seaside resort following the arrival of the railway.

Its distinctive street layout, including the so-called “Jewel streets” near the seafront, was designed to make the most of the town’s elevated position and sea views.

For those looking for green space, Saltburn Valley Gardens and Saltburn Valley Woods offer woodland walks close to the beach, with gardens, a miniature railway, and family-friendly attractions adding to the town’s appeal.

The surrounding area also gives residents and visitors easy access to wider beauty spots along the coast and inland towards the North York Moors.

Airbnb’s campaign suggested that more people are looking for places where they can slow down, stay locally, and discover somewhere with real character, with the online holiday and stay experts saying Saltburn “appears to fit that mood perfectly.”

Its transport links add to its liveability, with rail connections towards Middlesbrough and Darlington making it more practical for commuters than some remote coastal communities.

The Sunday Times guide considered factors such as schools, transport, broadband, mobile signal, green space, and the health of the high street when compiling its list.

For Saltburn, the verdict was clear: this is a town with “fresh air and heritage in spades.”

Reviews often highlight its peaceful atmosphere, coastal walks, and sense of community, while regular visitors praise it as a place that feels both lively and laid-back.

Like many desirable seaside towns, Saltburn is busiest in the summer months and on sunny weekends, when the beach, pier, and cafés draw crowds.

COUNT Binface is hitting the headlines for challenging Nigel Farage in the upcoming by-election in Clacton – but remember when he was making a big noise in North Yorkshire?

The colourful political character – campaigning on making all 99 cones cost 99p – stood against local MP Rishi Sunak in the last general election.

Count Binface, who has been doing media rounds in recent days dressed in his trademark tin bin helmet is a well-established novelty candidate in British elections, often pitting himself against the standing Prime Minister.

Count Binface when he was running for election in Richmond and Northallerton against PM Rishi Sunak Image: Count Binface

Binface – unmasked as Oxford-educated satirical scriptwriter Jon Harvey – stood as a candidate in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency at the 2019 General Election against the then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and again at the 2023 by-election after Johnson’s resignation.

Most recently, he stood in the Makerfield by-election against Andy Burnham – and was photographed at the result standing next to the Labour MP and shaking his hand.

Closer to home, he took on Rishi Sunak in 2024 in the Richmond and Northallerton constituency.

Not surprisingly Count Binface’s manifesto features some unconventional aspirations, including Bringing back Ceefax, the teletext service, nationalising Adele as well as model railways, and moving the hand dryer in the men’s toilet at Uxbridge’s Crown and Treaty pub to a “more sensible position”.

When he announced his candidacy against Sunak, he said in his podcast, Trashtalk, that he would be “taking on the biggest fish of the lot” in the election and commented: “You shirked D-Day Rishi, you can’t miss the B-Day”, a reference to the controversy caused by the PM’s early departure from the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Count Binface when he was running for election in Richmond and Northallerton against the then PM Rishi Sunak in 2024. Image: Count Binface

As the Northallerton and Richmond result was declared in the small hours of July 5, 2024, Binface stood on stage with Sunak – who held the seat. However, the unlikely challenger was reaping his own success.

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He was sixth out of thirteen candidates with 308 votes, representing 0.6 per cent of all the votes cast. It is reported that he later commented on Twitter that it was his best placing and highest ever vote count in a national election and declared that “Bindependence Day has come”.

Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, arriving to cast their vote in the 2024 General Election at Kirby Sigston Village Hall in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Coutn Binface stood against him in this election. Picture date: Thursday July 4, 2024. PA

Can he outdo his North Yorkshire performance in Clacton?

We shall have to wait and see.

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A hospital ward in Carmarthen, Wales has been closed following an outbreak of a rare form of scabies, a Victorian disease the cases of which are on the rise in the UK

A hospital ward has been shut down following an outbreak of a rare form of scabies, a Victorian-era disease which is seeing a resurgence across the UK.

Steffan Ward at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, Wales, will be closed to manage the outbreak “in line with established infection prevention and control procedures,” according to Hywel Dda health board.

The health board confirmed that patients and staff identified as contacts have been offered treatment, including those not displaying symptoms.

It also stated that additional infection prevention and control measures have been implemented on the ward, including “enhanced monitoring, treatment of identified contacts and ongoing support from specialist teams,” BBC Wales reported.

As the NHS explains on its website, “scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. It’s spread through close skin contact, and anyone can get it. It should be treated quickly to stop it spreading”.

The symptoms of scabies include intense itching, particularly at night, and a raised rash or spots that may appear red. The website also noted “scabies rash usually spreads across the whole body, apart from the head and neck. It often affects skin between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, and around the waist, groin and bottom”

“People with a weakened immune system can sometimes get a rare and very contagious type of scabies called crusted scabies. The main symptom is a crusted, flaky rash that often affects the elbows, knees, hands and feet,” it also explained. The NHS also stated scabies spreads through close skin contact, including sexual contact.

The condition cannot be contracted from pets. Individuals who live or work in close proximity within nurseries, university halls of residence or nursing homes face a higher risk, reports the Express.

Adults and youngsters aged five years or above can return to work or school immediately after beginning treatment. However, it’s crucial to stay away from close contact with others for the initial 24 hours.

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The UK is set to be hit by soaring temperatures from Wednesday, with some expected to climb as high as 35C in some areas, the Met Office has said

The Department for Work and Pensions has today provided a fresh update regarding proposals which could see regulations altered concerning an ‘upper temperature’ threshold for workplaces. The UK is set to experience soaring temperatures from Wednesday, with some forecasts predicting highs of 35C in certain regions, according to the Met Office.

Areas of southern England could witness temperature peaks of approximately 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with the highest figures of 35C anticipated for isolated locations on Friday and Saturday. By the weekend, the warm conditions are expected to extend to northern parts of the country, with increasingly humid weather and a rising possibility of showers or isolated thunderstorms.

The emerging pattern of temperatures exceeding 35C in the UK has prompted calls for a maximum workplace heat threshold for health purposes, as exists in numerous countries. MPs have tabled parliamentary written questions to the DWP on the matter, with Labour’s Dr Peter Prinsley asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden: “If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a mandated upper temperature limit in the workplace, including those working outside.”

Alex Mayer also asked Mr McFadden: “What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of heatwaves on workers in outdoor and high-temperature workplaces.”

In response, Sir Stephen Timms stated that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was considering changes to the rules in this area, with news coming later this year. He said: “The HSE is Great Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. There is a legal duty for employers to fully assess the risks to workers from extreme heat.

“HSE provides guidance for employers to manage the risk to workers, including from extreme heat. HSE issued a press release on Friday, June 19, to raise awareness of the risks to workers, to help workplaces in the current hot weather. This year, HSE will also be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature.”

During last month’s heatwave, the HSE signalled its position by urging employers to ‘act now’ to protect workers as temperatures soared

, reports the Express. It stated that employers are required to plan for and support those working in extreme heat, with the regulator noting that doing so would keep workers healthy and safe while also maintaining productivity.

The HSE reminded employers that they are legally obliged to assess risks to the health and safety of their workers, including those posed by extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves. While there is no legal maximum temperature for workplaces, heat is classed as a hazard and should be treated like other hazards.

John Rowe, Deputy Director for Technical Support and Engagement for the Health and Safety Executive, said: “Last summer should have been a wake-up call for all employers. If we continue to experience hotter summers this could have a big impact on the workforce of this country, affecting everything from health of workers to productivity on construction sites.

“The risks to workers from extreme heat must be properly assessed. Practical steps can include providing adequate ventilation and shade and allowing enough breaks for workers to cool down. We provide detailed guidance on our website hse.gov.uk.

“We know all employers are under pressure and we don’t want to add to their burden but it’s vital they think hard now about simple and cheap measures they can put in place to support workers should we see extreme heat again this summer.”

Simple measures to consider include:

• Making sure workplace windows can be opened or closed to prevent hot air from circulating or building up
• Using blinds or reflective film on workplace windows to shade workers from the sun
• Placing workstations away from direct sunlight and heat sources
• Putting insulation around hot pipes and machinery
• Offering flexible working patterns so workers can work at cooler times of the day
• Providing free access to drinking water
• Relaxing dress codes if possible
• Providing weather-appropriate personal protective equipment
• Encouraging workers to remove personal protective equipment when resting (ideally in shaded areas) to cool off
• Sharing information about the symptoms of heat stress and what to do if someone is affected

US forces said they hit about 90 targets across Iran with President Donald Trump warning the conflict could “get much worse”.

Iran responded to a second day of renewed attacks by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar early on Thursday.

US Central Command said the strikes were aimed at hitting Iran’s ability “to threaten freedom of navigation” through the Strait of Hormuz.

Renewed hostilities broke out on Tuesday after Iran targeted three tankers in the vital waterway, which remains a flashpoint in the fragile truce.

“U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief,” the statement from Central Command said.

Trump also reposted on his Truth Social platform a picture of buildings in flames billowing thick black smoke, purportedly to be in Iran, with the message: “This is retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships. If it happens again, it will get much worse.”

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld an Illinois ban on semiautomatic weapons, keeping in place a law passed largely in response to a deadly Independence Day parade shooting.

The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit overturns a lower court decision that found the ban unconstitutional. The 2-1 appellate decision found that the Illinois law does not violate the Second Amendment, and its restrictions are “consistent with the principles that underpin our Nation’s tradition of firearm regulation.”

“Whether to adopt them is thus a decision reposed in our elected representatives, and we reverse,” the appeals court said.

The majority opinion also pushes back on claims made by the plaintiffs that semiautomatic weapons are not at fault for mass shootings.

“The undisputed record evidence undercuts that claim, showing that the presence of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines is strongly correlated with the severity of the societal problem,” the opinion states.

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said in a post on X that the decision is “a victory in the fight to end gun violence that helps keep our communities safe.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association seeking to stop the ban, said that it is disappointed with the decision and plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.

The gun trade group said it agrees with Chief Judge Michael Brennan’s dissent in which he wrote that the country prohibits governments from banning “firearms commonly owned for self-defense.”

“Because the people have overwhelmingly chosen the AR-15 rifle and its magazine as their weapon of choice, they are protected by the Second Amendment,” the judge’s dissent states.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act was signed into law in 2023 by Pritzker and bans AR-15 rifles and similar guns, large-capacity magazines and an assortment of attachments.

It came six months after a 2022 shooting in which a gunman on a rooftop in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park opened fire on a parade, killing seven people and injuring more than three dozen.

The law prompted immediate pushback from county sheriffs who said they refused to enforce what they considered an unconstitutional law, while gun owners and advocates sued.

In 2024, a federal judge overturned the ban, leaning on recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that strictly interpret the Second Amendment right to keep and bear firearms.

The injunction was set to take effect 30 days after the judge’s decision. But that same day, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a notice of appeal, which ultimately led to a stay in the injunction.

Raoul said Thursday’s decision enhances public safety. “We have seen the damage that assault weapons and large-capacity magazines can inflict, and these weapons of war have no place in our communities,” he said in a statement.

Last month, the Supreme Court announced it will consider whether bans on semiautomatic rifles, often called assault weapons, violate the Second Amendment. In the fall, the court, which has expanded gun rights, is expected to hear appeals challenging a ban in the Chicago area, which predates the statewide law.

Portmeirion is a popular Welsh tourist destination that has been drawing visitors since the 1920s with its Italian architecture, Mediterranean gardens and stunning coastal views

A unique and beautiful Welsh town has been named the best seaside settlement in the country.

Each year, consumer magazine Which? asks thousands of its readers which seaside town is their favourite. This time around, Bamburgh, in Northumberland, won the overall UK rankings, with Bognor Regis in West Sussex falling to a miserable last place for a second year in a row.

When it comes to the best in Wales, there can only be one winner. Portmerion, which came in at seventh overall, won Welsh supremacy.

Deliberately designed to evoke a slice of heaven on the Welsh coast, Portmeirion provides the perfect retreat with numerous dining spots, watering holes, boutiques and ample opportunities to soak up its breathtaking surroundings.

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Every element throughout the village has been carefully curated to conjure a Mediterranean haven, and it’s been drawing crowds since 1926 s when it first opened.

To mark its centenary, a festival is being held across the four weekends of July. Squeeze, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Sir Bryn Terfel, the Brythoniaid Male Voice Choir, Gwenno, Pedair, 9Bach, Bwncath, Melin Melyn, Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion, Pys Melyn, Gareth Bonello, Huw Stephens, Rhys Mwyn and the Llareggub Brass Band are all performing.

The festival is ticketed, as is the town, which has an entry fee. It costs £20 per adult and £14 per child, while annual memberships are £40 and £25 respectively.

How did it begin?

The stunning Portmeirion sprang from the imagination of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who was determined to create a development that complemented an already striking location while preserving its organic features.

Construction unfolded across two distinct periods—initially from 1926 through 1939, followed by a second phase spanning 1954 to 1976. By the project’s completion, Clough had reached his 90s, having personally designed and constructed the majority of the buildings, with only a handful relocated from elsewhere.

Among these transplanted features was the Town Hall, which originated from the Bristol Colonnade. His designs consistently embraced Italian architectural influences, which many observers have attributed to the coastal town of Portofino.

Though he refuted such suggestions, insisting he merely wished to ‘capture’ the atmosphere of the Mediterranean, there’s little doubt he succeeded in this endeavour. Despite its compact nature, the village encompasses a diverse array of styles and treasures worth discovering, from Riviera-inspired dwellings to decorative gardens and Italian-style piazzas scattered throughout.

Central to this is the impressive Hotel Portmeirion alongside the village accommodation, providing private lodgings for the approximately 200,000 annual visitors who explore the village.

Accommodation options

The Hotel Portmeirion was established by Clough in 1926 as the village’s centrepiece, serving as the foundation for his vision of the broader settlement. Within its walls lies a self-contained world, featuring 14 elegantly appointed bedrooms alongside a fine-dining restaurant and an impressive terrace and bar space.

The four-star establishment also features an outdoor swimming pool situated on the estuary lawn. Overnight stays in a double room start from approximately £328 and may include breakfast and dinner packages.

The village accommodation is scattered throughout Portmeirion, catering to various groups, with family-friendly rooms available and ground-floor alternatives for those with accessibility requirements.

Each village room is distinctively designed to offer individuality while maintaining that Mediterranean ambience, and all enjoy scenic vistas across the Dwyryd Estuary and the surrounding landscape.

The village is also home to its own castle, Castell Deudraeth, which serves as a four-star residence that Clough described as “the largest and most imposing single building on the Portmeirion estate”.

Visitors who prefer not to stay overnight but still wish to savour the castle’s elegance and charm can choose to dine at its dedicated brasserie.

Self-catering cottages are also available for hire within the village, alongside a motorhome park accommodating caravans and campers.

Dining Options

Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, the Castell Deudraeth Brasserie delivers exceptional cuisine in a laid-back setting with stunning views.

The Hotel Portmeirion’s restaurant has also garnered significant praise, accumulating more than 500 excellent TripAdvisor reviews. Caffi Glas is another popular dining destination, drawing visitors with its outdoor seating arrangement designed to evoke the ambience of an Italian piazza, complete with a central fountain.

Its alfresco dining experience appeals to those seeking a holiday atmosphere, where patrons can savour freshly made pizzas, pasta dishes and salads. Complementing the menu are wines available by the glass alongside locally sourced, traditional Welsh beers, befitting the Welsh setting.

A widow has revealed she was forced to bury her husband in an unmarked grave in Cape Verde after he fell ill on holiday.

His sudden death – and that of another tourist – takes the number of Britons who have died on all-inclusive trips there since 2023 to at least 10.

Retired forklift driver Colin Timson, 74, was on holiday on the African island with his wife Jacqueline when he started suffering with sickness and diarrhoea. 

The next morning she returned from breakfast to find him collapsed. Mr Timson was taken to hospital but died the same evening, in July 2024.

Cape Verde authorities said the cause of his death was acute gastroenteritis and digestive bleeding. This, they said, had led to dehydration, severe anaemia and septic shock.

Ms Timson, 69, who also fell ill with stomach cramps, said she had to bury her husband just three days later in an unmarked grave, as she believed her travel insurance would not cover the costs of flying his body home.

‘I was told there wasn’t an option to have a cremation in Cape Verde,’ she said. 

‘I couldn’t even bring his ashes home. Instead, he’s buried in an unmarked grave, alone, thousands of miles away from his family.’

Jacqueline Timson was forced to bury her husband in an unmarked grave, as she did not believe her travel insurance would cover the costs of repatriating his body

The couple, from Heighington, near Lincoln, had been to Cape Verde before, and forked out £2,000 for a second trip with the travel firm TUI.

However, Ms Timson, a retired factory worker, said their all-inclusive hotel, the Riu Funana, did not seem to be of the ‘same standard’.

‘Some of the food appeared to be undercooked and was lukewarm,’ she said. ‘The toilets round the pool were full of dead cockroaches and we didn’t go in because the water looked yellow.

‘When [Colin] left the clinic to go to hospital I went back to the hotel as I was told he would be in safe hands and to visit him the following day.

‘I didn’t even know he’d died until I arrived at the hospital. When I heard the news my world fell apart. Everything was a blur.’

The family of another British tourist who died during a TUI package trip have also spoken out today.

Laurence Brownlie, 67, a retired IT engineer from West Lothian, was on holiday only a month before the Timsons.

He became unwell on June 5, while staying at the five-star Melia Llana Beach Resort and Spa in Cape Verde with his wife, Glenna Brownlie, 66.

A few days later, he stood up from the dinner table and collapsed. Flight crew dining nearby attempted CPR, but they were unable to revive him.

According to a death certificate issued by the local authorities, he had suffered a suspected heart attack.

Laurence Brownlie, 67, a retired IT engineer from West Lothian, and his wife Glenna, were on holiday only a month before the Timsons

Laurence, pictured, died three days after falling unwell in Cape Verde

Mr Brownlie’s wife and three daughters – who flew out after his death – said they were unable to see his body before he was returned to the UK.

They reported flies in the food at the hotel and said there was no defibrillator available.

One of his daughters, Erin, 34, said: ‘Dad should have been coming home at the end of their holiday. Instead, our family was left trying to come to terms with losing him in such traumatic circumstances.

‘I can’t imagine how harrowing it must have been for my mum seeing her soulmate pass away in front of her.

‘We’re hearing too many stories of people suffering serious illness or even dying on holidays. The least we now owe Dad is to honour his memory by establishing answers he deserves.’

More than 2,500 people who have visited Cape Verde since 2022 are taking legal action against TUI after they contracted the likes of salmonella, E. Coli and shigella.

This includes around 600 who have come forward in the past four months, after media reports raised the alarm in January.

Jatinder Paul, from the law firm Irwin Mitchell which is representing those affected, said: ‘It’s staggering that we continue to be contacted by hundreds more people reporting how their holidays have been ruined by serious illness.

‘The first-hand accounts from those who have lost loved ones are harrowing.’

Other British holidaymakers who have died include part-time nurse and mother-of-one Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham, who died last August, Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, who died in January 2023, and Mark Ashley, 55, from Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, who died last November.

Karen Pooley, 64, from Lydney, Gloucestershire, died last October after she fell ill at the Riu Funana resort – the same hotel where Mr Timson stayed.

Under UK law, package holiday providers bear legal responsibility for the standards of all services provided, including food, hygiene, and accommodation, even if they are delivered by a third-party hotel abroad.

A spokesman for TUI said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the families affected. TUI provided support in both cases, including assistance to family members and those directly impacted.’

‘Our records do not contain reports of diarrhoea and vomiting being made to TUI at the time, and notes recorded by our team indicate that Mrs Timson reported her husband had been feeling unwell during the flight to Cape Verde.

‘Mrs Timson thanked TUI reps for their support when our customer care team was in contact on her return to the UK.’

The travel firm added that the first it had heard of the Timsons’ and the Brownlies’ legal claims was yesterday, and that for legal reasons, ‘it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the specifics of either case’.