BRAZILIAN police have confirmed they have arrested another suspect connected to the murder of Wirral journalist Dom Phillips. 

Phillips was ambushed and shot dead in the Amazon rainforest, alongside Brazilian indigenous expert, Bruno Pereira, as the men were returning from a field trip to the remote Javari valley in June 2022. 

Phillips, who was originally from Bebington and attended St Anselm's College in Birkenhead, was conducting research for a book entitled How To Save The Amazon. 

The police have said the latest suspect is considered "the right-hand man" of the alleged murderer although they did not name him. 

In June 2023, police charged Ruben Dario da Silva Villar with ordering the murders.

Three fishers accused of killing Phillips and Pereira are awaiting trial by jury.

Police said the latest arrest came after a man was alleged to have been intimidating witnesses and attempting to interfere in the investigation.

It is thought that Pereira was targeted for his activities helping indigenous activists defend their land from illegal fishing and mining gangs, and believe Phillips was killed for being with him.