News

Nigel Farage has pledged that Ukip would impose an "ethical" visa system if the party took power, as he ruled out any "arbitrary targets" on immigration.

The eurosceptic leader, who will today unveil his party's immigration policy, wrote in the Telegraph that his party did not want to "stigmatise" immigrants.

However, he wrote that he would propose a migration control commission and abolish rules discriminating between EU and non-EU nationals.

Farage added that Ukip's proposals would include a points-based system for visas, as seen in Australia, with the aim to bring down migration levels that were "unsustainable, unfair and unethical".

He also said there would be a five-year block on visas for unskilled workers, barring them from claiming benefits during that time.

A former royal marine has been named in reports as the first Briton to be killed while fighting against Islamic State in Syria.

According to the BBC, the man was named by the Kurdish People's Protection Units as Konstandinos Erik Scurfield from Barnsley.

A statement on the Kurdish Question website read: "We can confirm that Konstandinos Erik Scurfield died in battle, probably in Hasakah although the full details are yet to be announced by YPG."

The MailOnline reported that the news had been confirmed by Kurdish rights campaigner Mark Campbell, who said he had informed Scurfield's family.

A protest has taken place at Yarl's Wood detention centre tonight after a Channel 4 investigation uncovered allegations that inmates were described by staff as "animals".

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said it was aware of a "small" and "peaceful" protest at the immigration removal centre.

A Serco spokesman said around a dozen women were involved in the demonstration and "we are talking to them".

The government has agreed to sell Britain's entire stake in Eurostar for £757.1 million, it has been announced.

The 40% stake in the company will be taken over by a consortium of investors Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Hermes Infrastructure for £585.1 million.

Eurostar also agreed to redeem preference shares owned by the government, which will add a further £172 million to Treasury funds.

The sale comes as part of an effort by the government to raise £20 billion by selling corporate and financial assets by 2020.

In a statement, the Treasury said it had achieved its "key objective" of maximising "value for money for the UK taxpayer" through the sale.

Thousands have paid their last respects at the funeral of Boris Nemtsov in Moscow.

Orindary citizens were joined by Russian and foreign dignitaries as they mourned the opposition leader who was gunned down last week.

ITV News correspondent Emma Murphy reports:

A memorial to murdered soldier Lee Rigby is to be unveiled in his home town later this month.

The 25-year-old from Middleton in Greater Manchester was killed outside London's Woolwich Barracks in May 2013 by two Islamic extremists.

Rochdale Council said a bronze drum will now be unveiled alongside a plaque in honour of Fusilier Rigby in Middleton Memorial Gardens on 29 March.

Fusilier Rigby's widow Rebecca said: "I am pleased this memorial is being unveiled in Middleton. It should be seen as a celebration of his life because that is what he would have wanted. People will be able to come here in peace, remember Lee and reflect."

Fusilier Rigby's murder sparked shock across the country after the father-of-one was run over with a car and then killed by British Muslim converts Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.

Following an Old Bailey trial, Adebolajo was handed a whole-life prison term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years.