There are 17 local authorities with no taxpayer-supported asylum seekers, an analysis by the Daily Mail reveals after Andy Burnham vowed to send more to middle-class areas.

The Prime Minister vowed yesterday to ensure arrivals are not only placed in the ‘poorest communities’ when pressed about proposals for a migrant camp near the tiny Oxfordshire village of Piddington.

‘All parts of the country need to play their part,’ he said – prompting the Tories to accuse him of wanting to ‘dish out another vindictive punishment beating to the UK’s middle classes’. 

Asylum seekers who are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim are often eligible for accommodation and money to cover their living expenses. This is provided by the Home Office, although the migrants themselves are dispersed across the country.

Home Office figures showing the number of supported asylum seekers per local authority at the end of March reveal the areas with none are overwhelmingly rural beauty spots such as the Cotswolds, Derbyshire Dales, Malvern Hills, the New Forest and the Scottish Highlands.

Others include Mid Devon, East Hertfordshire, Ceredigion, a scenic county in west Wales, and Hart, a 118-square-mile local authority taking in major towns, rural parishes and villages in Hampshire.

The Gloucestershire market town of Tewkesbury is also on the list, as are the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Mid and East Antrim and Mid Ulster, and Na h-Eileanan Siar – an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. 

It comes as Labour’s borders minister doubled down on Mr Burnham‘s insistence that wealthier areas will have to take more migrants after the number of crossings under his premiership passed the 3,000 mark. 

Anna Turley defended plans for 1,200 migrants to be housed near the village of Piddington, which has a population of just 400. 

She said there needed to be a ‘fair and equitable system’ for distributing asylum seekers across the country.

Under Home Office plans, a former military base in Bicester, Oxfordshire, will provide accommodation for 1,250 male asylum seekers.

But the residents of Piddington – which sits near the proposed site – have voted to stage a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK as part of their protests against the plans.

Ms Turley defended the plans this morning, telling LBC: ‘This is about fairness. This is making sure that there is distribution around the country, and this is about a more fair and equitable system that limits the impact on local communities.’

Asked about a potential influx of asylum seekers three times as large as Piddington’s population, the Home Office minister said: ‘Well, I suppose they’re not going to be in the village. They’re going to be contained in a former military base.’

But pressed on whether asylum seekers would be free to leave the site, Ms Turley replied: ‘They will be allowed out, but everything they need will be on that site. So they will be managed. They will be contained.’

She added: ‘They’re on a self-contained site. We are looking at former military bases around the country.

‘We are also looking at former industrial sites, student accommodation, other means by which we can put people in secure places that is contained, that is manageable and… is more affordable than putting people in hotels.

‘We know where people are. We can manage the system.’

Asked if she would be happy for a similar number of people to arrive in her Redcar constituency, Ms Turley said: ‘We don’t have a former military base… but the reality is it’s about fairness.’

She continued: ‘The point the Prime Minister was making was this is about fairness.

‘We take our fair share of asylum seekers in Redcar, and the point is lots of working class places around the country – I talked about Blackpool, places with hotels – have had to bear more than their fair share.

‘And this is about fairness. This is making sure that there is distribution around the country, and that this is about a more fair and equitable system that limits the impact on local communities.

‘By having secure and maintained and managed facilities like former military bases, it’s a much better way to keep people in one place and reduce the impact on local communities.’

The Gloucestershire market town of Tewkesbury is one of 17 areas with no supported asylum seekers

Aslyum seekers staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford, another hotel that has been a target of protests 

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Mr Burnham was asked on GB News about the planned camp yesterday. He said: ‘I will listen to what people are saying and respond to the concerns that they are putting forward. 

‘I don’t know the issue yet in detail, but in some ways, as I understand it, it is about creating secure space.’

He added: ‘It’s obviously going to be challenging, but I am prepared always to listen to people, to work with people and to pick up legitimate concerns, and I will address those concerns.

‘I do have to say, we cannot have a situation where it’s only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers. I do believe all parts of the country need to work, to play their part.

‘We understand people’s concerns and I will look into the issues raised by the good people of Piddington.’

His comments came as official Home Office figures confirmed that 230 people were aboard the record ‘mega-dinghy’ that was brought into Dover on Monday.

That pushed the total since Labour came to power – beginning with the day after the General Election in July 2024 – past the 80,000 mark.

In comparison with Mr Burnham, Sir Keir Starmer’s first 22 days as PM saw 2,258 small-boat migrants reach Britain.

Asylum accommodation has been the focus of several flash points around the country in recent years. 

Last week, 15 people were arrested during trouble in Thetford, Norfolk, after anti-immigration protesters demonstrated outside homes they believed housed asylum seekers.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘Andy Burnham is planning to dish out another vindictive punishment beating to the UK’s middle classes. Labour has hammered hard-working families with punitive tax increases galore, increased regulation and soaring energy bills.

Andy Burnham vowed yesterday to ensure arrivals are not only placed in the ‘poorest communities’ 

The record-breaking dinghy carries some 230 migrants across the English Channel

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‘Now, Burnham plans to deliberately flood more neighbourhoods with thousands of illegal immigrants who he has let into this country, and many of whom will commit serious crimes including rape and murder.’ 

Just two weeks after he insisted Labour’s boats plan was working, the Prime Minister vowed to ‘change our tactics’ to tackle the gangs bringing migrants across the Channel. 

Referring to pictures of the latest mega-dinghy, Mr Burnham added: ‘I know people will have been worried to see that image yesterday. It shows that the gangs are changing their tactics but so will we – we will now change our tactics and we will be relentless in chasing them down. I said that when I visited Dover just over a week ago and I meant it.’

But Mr Philp warned: ‘We now have a full-blown Burnham borders crisis. Unvetted illegal immigrants – mainly young males – flood across the Channel every day there are calm seas.

‘Andy Burnham’s claim to have a working plan lies in tatters.’

Monday’s record-breaking mega-dinghy brought more people to Britain than a typical Ryanair flight. The boat was originally carrying more than 260 passengers, including children, when it almost sank.

When the overloaded boat – which was designed for a maximum of 40 – was battered by choppy waters, at least 30 people were thrown into the waters off the northern French coast.

One shocking image showed them in the sea before they were rescued by French police and gendarmes, who have a controversial policy of not intercepting most small boats in the water because they claim it could endanger those on board.

French lifeboatmen yesterday described how scores of men, women and children packed on to the Chinese-made PVC boat on a beach between Berck-sur-Mer and Merlimont, south of Le Touquet, on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman for the SNSM – France’s equivalent of the RNLI – said all had been hiding in sand dunes after paying people smugglers for a passage.

He said: ‘A veritable tide then rushed the 15-metre (49ft) boat. Due to overloading, several were thrown from the vessel – around 30 ended up in the water as the craft continued on its way.’ 

The picture released by the SNSM at Berck shows dozens of mainly young men floundering in the Channel, following the initial boarding soon after 5pm.

Jean-Marc Lamblin, director of the SNSM’s Berck-sur-Mer branch, said he was seeing ever-larger boats being used by smuggling gangs and there was ‘no limit’ to how many people they would cram on board.

‘Over the past three months, we’ve been seeing more and more 15-metre boats,’ he said. ‘There really is no limit now’.

The dinghy was 7ft larger than vessels which set previous records last month, and more than 10ft longer than a standard double-decker bus.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said that illegal arrivals were ‘out of control’.

He posted on social media last night: ‘230 migrants landed on our shores yesterday. This is a national security emergency.’

The mega-dinghy was eventually escorted to England by the UK Border Force, HM Coastguard and the RNLI, beating the previous record of 165 migrants who reached Britain on a single boat in July. Last week, 173 people were packed on to a single boat but it disintegrated off the French coast after catching fire. Everyone on board was rescued.

The Egyptian people smuggler who piloted the boat has been sentenced to a year in jail following a fast-track trial on Friday.

“Thank you to every one of you for engaging with us in a positive manner. An unforgettable experience. We had a blast!”

A Belfast flute band said it has been “completely overwhelmed” by the response to their performance at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band performed on the Gig Rig stage outside Belfast City Hall on the last day of the eight-day festival, on Sunday, August 9.

Despite the rain, the band said they received a “thunderous” reception, which left them feeling like “rock stars.” In the days since, they have gained thousands of followers on social media, and hundreds of thousands of people have viewed clips of their performances.

In a post on their Facebook page, the band said: “Now that the dust has settled, and we’ve had time to reflect on the weekend. We would like to congratulate the Belfast Bands Forum on what has been a historic 8 days at The Fleadh for all the member bands.

“We would like to congratulate all the forum bands and members who took part and made it such a success for the forum, and for representing our culture in such a dignified manner.

“A big thank you to Darren Leighton, Chairman of the Belfast Bands Forum, and Maurice Brown for the work they put in behind the scenes. And a big congratulations to Maurice on his Bardic award – very well deserved. Also to Cllr Sarah Bunting and former Belfast Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly for the work they do with the Bands Forum.

“A massive thank you to Comhaltas, the organisers, for giving us the opportunity to showcase our music and culture, and for the warmth with which we were received.”

The flute band said they have been “completely overwhelmed” as after their final performance on Sunday, their Facebook page jumped from 12,000 to 14,000 followers within a number of hours.

They added: Hundreds of thousands have viewed clips of our performances, with over 15,000 reactions, over 1,000 comments and over 400 shares to date, and our inbox has been inundated with messages of congratulations and well wishes.

“It’s quite surreal – we have had comments and messages from every corner of the Republic of Ireland and, here at home, and from the most unlikeliest of places, namely the Falls Road.

“We never imagined the impact our performance on the Gig Rig in particular would have had. We set out to represent our community and culture and to simply do what we love to do, and that’s play our music and entertain a crowd.

“When we stepped out of City Hall to a thunderous reception, we felt like rock stars, and again, leaving the stage back into City Hall, it was cranked up a another notch.

“Thank you to every one of you for engaging with us in a positive manner. An unforgettable experience. We had a blast!”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The mother of Sheryl Wilkins gave a statement saying her daughter has “ended your chances of hurting anyone else”.

Mary Wilkins, in a statement read by junior prosecutor Kerry Broome, said: “There will never be enough words to explain what it feels like to lose a child. You, Simon Levy, have completely destroyed our lives.

“Our Sheryl has ended your chances of hurting anyone else, she lost her life to do this but we truly believe Sheryl has saved countless women. You took away our beautiful daughter Sheryl. She was a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a beloved family member. She had four beautiful children.

“Sheryl was taken from us one day before her 40th birthday, she had so many hopes and dreams. She should’ve celebrated her 40th birthday, she should’ve grown old with us, instead all of that was taken away.”

Andy Burnham has said the government is considering a ban on disposable barbecues amid increased wildfire risk driven by this summer’s droughts.

The prime minister told reporters single-use grills had been behind a number of recent blazes and people should not be using them “at this moment in time”.

Some retailers have already decided to voluntarily stop selling the devices, which have previously attracted warnings from fire chiefs.

It comes as Burnham chairs an emergency Cobra meeting on the government’s response to record temperatures in recent months.

Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales have been officially declared in drought, creating conditions rife for fire to spread.

The Met Office has issued a rare amber extreme heat warning for Thursday, with temperatures peaking in the mid-to-high 30s across the Midlands and south-east of England, and a high of 38C possible.

Speaking during a visit to Stevenage, Burnham said a disposable barbecue ban was something the government was “certainly going to consider”.

“I do want to leave the meeting today with a loud and clear message that we do want people to take the greatest possible care when they are out in the countryside, both in terms of cigarettes, but also those temporary barbecues that we know are causing risk of fires,” he added.

Burnham did not specify whether the government was considering a restriction on the sale of disposable BBQs, or limitations on their use.

A Labour MP wrote to large retailers last week in a bid to stop them selling disposable barbecues for the rest of the summer.

The National Farmers Union has also called on local councils to issue public space protection orders to restrict their use in public areas.

Construction boss Michael Riley, 38, avoided jail after being found guilty of voyeurism.

dA businessman who secretly filmed a woman as they recreated kinky scenes from Fifty Shades of Grey has been spared jail.

Michael Riley, 38, arranged to meet the 39-year-old for a night of passion at a property in Lanarkshire. They imitated bedroom antics from the best-selling book and blockbuster film that included her being tied to a bed.

But she was left horrified after he sent her footage of the encounter of August 2022. She confronted Riley over the video but he laughed and said: “That’s what people our age do.”

Police were called in and construction boss Riley, of Newmilns, Ayrshire, was arrested. Riley denied any wrongdoing and went on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he claimed the woman had agreed to be filmed but was convicted of voyeurism.

Sheriff Linda Nicolson ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and placed him under supervision for two years. He was banned from contacting his victim for 10 years and put on the sex offenders’ register for two years.

Giving evidence via video link, the woman said she had agreed to be restrained but insisted she did not know Riley was going to record the liaison.

She said: “I was in the middle of being unrestrained and he told me to check my phone. I asked him what it was, although looking at it I knew what it was, and I said to him ‘why have you done that?’ and he said it was just something for me to keep.

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“I asked him to completely delete and asked why he had done it and he just laughed. I was just angry with him and I don’t know why you would do that to someone without asking or discussing it.”

Asked if she had agreed to be filmed, the woman replied: “I’m under oath and I’m 100 percent sure that video was not taken with consent.”

In evidence, Riley claimed they had agreed to record their encounter and the woman helped set up cameras.

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He added: “The idea behind the video is that it would all come together as one, we called it our Fifty Shades night. It was to be like a scene out of a porno that evening.

“Absolutely she consented, she recorded parts of it herself and at one point she was holding the camera during a sex act. We made a Fifty Shades night happen, it was recorded and it was consensual.”

Rosemary Robinson, defending, said: “He would be compliant with any order imposed by the court.”

Sheriff Nicolson told Riley: “The custody threshold has been passed and you could be subject to a custodial sentence for this but I’m satisfied that an alternative can be imposed.”

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Fifty Shades of Grey is an erotic novel written by E.L. James which was turned into a movie starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Critics hit out at her post, with one writing to White: “I am completely appalled by that presenter’s comments. I suppose I have ‘followed’ your career since the start, and I have always had the highest regard for your professionalism and, particularly, the manner in which you relate to the audience. I can’t understand it.”

By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR

Published: 11:47 BST, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 12:01 BST, 12 August 2026

Kate Moss looked incredible in a black plunging swimsuit as she soaked up the sun with her daughter Lila on a boat trip in Formentera, Spain on Tuesday. 

The supermodel, 52, put on a fashionable display in the backless one-piece which she complemented with gold jewellery during her cruise. 

Lila, 23, also showcased her toned figure in a red paisley-print string bikini for the outing. 

The mother-daughter duo were joined by models Ruby Lyn and Olivia Neill, as well as Kate’s close friend Rose Ferguson, who is Lila’s godmother.

Kate looked relaxed as she was seen diving from the boat into the Mediterranean sea for a refreshing swim, with Lila also following suit. 

The fashionista later added a pair of denim shorts and black lace vest as the group moved between the boat and shore.

Lila, 23, also showcased her toned figure in a red paisley-print string bikini for the outing

The supermodel, 52, put on a fashionable display in the backless one-piece which she complemented with gold jewellery during her cruise

Lila, who is managed by her mother’s fashion agency, made her official runway debut in 2020 by opening and closing the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2021 show. 

She has since gone on to front global campaigns for prestigious luxury brands, including Gucci, Fendi, Marc Jacobs Beauty, and YSL Beauty. 

Meanwhile, Kate is said to be forging a career in floristry after falling in love with gardening in her countryside home in the Cotswolds.

The supermodel bought her countryside mansion in Little Faringdon for £2.5million in 2004.

Ever since she moved out of London, Kate has enjoyed a quieter lifestyle after years of hard partying. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Kate fell in love with gardening after moving to the Cotswolds and this is forming the basis of her new venture.

‘She has been experimenting with some ideas and she’s decided her own range is the way to go.’

Kate revealed back in 2022 that she appreciated a quieter life. 

She said: ‘Pottering around my home in the country is one of my favourite things to do – it’s when I’m most happy.’ 

Kate and Lila looked like they were having fun in the sunshine 

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Kate put on a daring display in the plunging one-piece 

Kate’s close friend Rose Ferguson, who is Lila’s godmother, also joined them on the trip

Kate sported a bronzed tan and teamed the swimsuit with large black sunglasses 

Rebecca showed off her toned abs in a black bikini

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Kate looked relaxed as she was seen diving from the boat into the Mediterranean sea for a refreshing swim

Lila looked incredible in the red two-piece 

The model has been sharing an insight into their sunny break on Instagram

Lila relaxed after cooling off in the water. The model, who has type 1 diabetes, was wearing her continuous glucose monitor

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Lila, who is managed by her mother’s fashion agency, made her official runway debut in 2020 by opening and closing the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2021 show

Lila and her pals did a spot of sunbathing 

Kate was having a blast as she chatted to one of Lila’s pals 

The supermodel shared a laugh 

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Kate put on an animated display as she chatted away 

Kate appeared in high spirits after cooling off in the water 

Kate showed off her age-defying looks in the daring swimsuit 

She smiled as the boat set off 

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Lila wrung out her hair after taking a dip 

The model appeared in high spirits as she chatted to her friend 

Lila relaxed in the sunshine 

The girls topped up their tan 

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Lila snapped away, documenting their trip 

Everyone got involved when the time came for a swim in the sea 

Lila took in the breathtaking landscape Located just a 30-to-40-minute ferry ride south of Ibiza, . Formentera is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches

After their swim, the group headed to the shade of the boat 

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Lila and her friends looked like they were having a blast as the boat cruised around the coastline 

Kate later covered up in a black and white floral scarf 

The fashionista later added a pair of denim shorts and black lace vest as the group moved between the boat and shore

The fashionista later added a pair of denim shorts and black lace vest as the group moved between the boat and shore  

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Lila was seen in a pair of white denim shorts and carried a woven bag 

She had earlier wore a sheer white T-shirt over the halterneck bikini top 

The model has been documenting her trip on Instagram

The holiday comes as Kate is said to be next in line for a Netflix docuseries following on from the success of specials dedicated to Victoria Beckham and Kylie.

Ahead of the 35th anniversary of the supermodel’s 1992 campaign with Calvin Klein, which saw her propelled to fame at just 18, a production company is said to be offering up a profile on Kate to the streaming giants.

After releasing fly-on-the-wall style documentary series with the likes of former Spice Girl Victoria, 52, and pop star Kylie, 58, Netflix is said to be considering the project.

According to The Sun, the production company has high hopes that Kate herself will be keen to get involved with the docuseries.

An insider told the publication: ‘Although she is known for her ”Never complain, never explain” approach to life, there are signs that she might now be willing to discuss her life in a way she never has before.

‘Getting Kate on board would make a huge difference to the streamers and probably spark a bidding war, if it came to fruition.

‘Though it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation where having Kate sign up might be dependent on someone like Netflix saying it is interested first.’

The insider added that producers are ‘desperate’ to find a way to make the series happen, with hopes that success of previous TV autobiographies on ‘David and Victoria Beckham, Kylie and Gordon Ramsay’ will be ‘persuasive’.

The Daily Mail contacted Netflix and Kate’s representatives for comment.

It would follow on from Kate’s former appearance in Apple TV documentary In Vogue: The 90s, where she candidly opened up about her modelling career.

In the show, which was released in 2024 and is available to stream on ITVX, Kate revealed that her trim figure saw her slammed by parents of children with eating disorders.

Kylie’s documentary followed on from the success of Victoria Beckham’s series released in 2025, two years on from husband David’s series, Beckham, in 2023.

Telly chef Gordon, 59, also found himself at the centre of a tell-all documentary, with a six-part series released in February 2026. 

Four young men who perished in a devastating crash in Huyton “died of multiple injuries”. Jack Diggle, 23, Ben Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, lost their lives when the black Cupra Formentor in which they were travelling left East Prescot Road, at its junction with Liverpool Road, Huyton, and collided with a lamppost in the early hours of 24 July.

Inquests into the deaths of the four men were opened on Wednesday morning (12 August) at Bootle Town Hall. The coroners’ court was told: “At approximately 1.54am on Friday, July 24 a single vehicle collision occurred on the East Prescot Road between Ashover Avenue and Dinas Lane resulting in the deaths of four of the five occupants.”

Liam Moss, senior coroners’ officer, informed the court that Home Office post-mortems were conducted on 26 July, with the cause of death in all four cases recorded as “multiple injuries”.

The court heard that the four men were initially identified via their dental records, before being further confirmed through distinguishing body markings and clothing they had been seen wearing on CCTV footage captured earlier that evening.

Mr Diggle, of Alundale Road in West Derby, Mr Shackleton-Brady, of Old Riding in Dovecot, and Mr Dooley, of Greenvalley Road in Stockbridge Village, were all identified by their mothers. Mr Roberts, of Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot, was identified by his cousin, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Mr Moss confirmed that a suspect had been charged with four counts of aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. The ECHO previously reported that James Diggle, 27 and of Alundale Road, was charged following his release from hospital.

He did not enter a plea during his brief appearance at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to appear next at Liverpool Crown Court on September 7.

Anita Bhardwaj, senior coroner Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens, said today: “I will formally open the investigation and inquests touching on the deaths of the four gentlemen. I understand as mentioned that someone has been charged.

“I’m going to suspend the investigation and inquests so as to await the outcome of the criminal proceedings. I understand all families have been spoken to and are fully aware of the proceedings.”

Ms Bhardwaj confirmed that the bodies of all four men had been released, with cremation certificates issued for Jack Diggle, Mr Dooley and Mr Roberts, while a burial certificate had been issued for Mr Shackleton-Brady.

No family members were present at the hearing, which lasted just 10 minutes.

An inquest is a publicly-held fact-finding inquiry, overseen by a coroner, with the aim of establishing the circumstances surrounding an unexplained or unnatural death. The coroner is responsible for addressing four fundamental questions throughout their investigation — who died; where they died; when they died; and how they died.

Jack Diggle’s mother described her son, a devoted Everton FC fan who loved both watching and playing darts, as being fortunate to have a “wonderful” circle of friends. She said Jack’s death had “left a hole” in the lives and hearts of all who knew him that can “never be filled”.

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His family added: “We will carry him with us every day and miss him for the rest of our lives.”

Mr Dooley’s mother recalled the sports psychology student as the “kindest person I knew with a heart of gold”, while his sister Demi remembered him as “the one who always gave me advice and looked out for me, the most caring, kindest person in the world”. She added: “My heart is broken.”

Mr Roberts’ mother called her son “my beautiful blue-eyed boy” and added “my life will never be the same with you not here”. His father said: “You were the world to me…and the best son anyone could ask for. I can’t imagine life without you.”

His brothers, Carl and Thomas, remembered “Pip” as the “glue to our crazy family”.

Mr Shackleton-Brady’s sister, Kelsey, described her younger brother, who worked as a warehouse operator, as “one of the kindest and gentlest people you could ever meet”, while the Dovecot man’s long-term partner, Ellie Jones, who was also the mother of their young children, Phoebe and Archie, said: “He was my life, my rock. I don’t know life without him.”

Following confirmation of the charge against James Diggle, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “As criminal proceedings are now active, we would ask that the public refrain from commenting on, or speculating about, the circumstances of this case online, as this could unintentionally prejudice the judicial process.

“Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the four men who tragically lost their lives and we ask that their privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”