Brazilians deny finding missing Briton’s body

POLICE in Brazil last night denied that the bodies of a missing British journalist and his Amazon guide had been found.

The family of Dom Phillips, pictured, had been told that the bodies were discovered tied to a tree. Mr Phillips, 57, and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, 41, went missing in a remote part of the rainforest on June 5 – days after receiving threats. The region is infested by illegal loggers, miners and drug gangs.

An aide at the Brazilian embassy in London told Mr Phillips’ family of the apparent breakthrough only for federal police to release a statement saying this claim was ‘without merit’.

It has been speculated that the case relates to a fishing dispute. Some of the two men’s possessions have been found, including clothing and ID.