'Sacked' police chief to fight on

Two people have been charged with murdering Catherine and Ben Mullany

The Antiguan police commissioner who led the inquiry into the murders of Welsh honeymooners has vowed to carry on, despite being told he is fired.

Gary Nelson, a Canadian, said a police adviser told him he had lost his job.

But he said he would continue in his duties until he was dismissed by either the prime minister or head of police.

Mr Nelson presided over the investigation into the murders of newlyweds Ben and Catherine Mullany, from Pontardawe, Swansea Valley.

The doctor and her trainee physiotherapist, who were both 31 were shot at their holiday hotel on 27 July.

A 20-year-old man and a teenager have been charged with murder, and three women have been accused of other offences connected to the killings.

On Friday Mr Nelson said he had been relieved of his duties by Antigua's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

He is prepared to let the community determine if he is in fact suitable for the position of commissioner of police Statement from Gary Nelson, police commissioner

But in statement issued later he said he had been told he was no longer needed by police adviser Alphonse Breau.

He said he also expected to be given reasons for the termination of his contract and to be compensated.

Mr Nelson was appointed commissioner earlier this year by the Antiguan government.

His appointment followed a spate of violent crimes on the island.

The Canadian, a former senior officer in Ottawa with 37 years of experience in the police force, was charged with reforming the force.

But he reportedly complained when he arrived that the police headquarters had no running water, no working fax machines and no radio patrols.

Catherine Mullany was training to be a doctor

He reportedly took three Canadian Mounties with him to Antigua.

In his statement Mr Nelson said he had "worked hard connecting the community and police and has engaged the police force in providing a higher standard of law enforcement.

The statement added: "He is prepared to let the community determine if he is in fact suitable for the position of commissioner of police and pledge his continued commitment to the community and the people of Antigua and Barbuda."

Mr and Mrs Mullany were shot on the last day of their two-week honeymoon at the Cocos Hotel and Resort on the south west of the island.

Granted bail

Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died instantly. Her husband, a trainee physiotherapist, died a week later after he was flown home in a coma to a hospital in Swansea.

A private burial took place earlier this month but a public funeral service for the couple will be held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff on 10 September.

A woman charged in connection with the killings was granted bail by magistrates in the Antiguan capital of St John's on Friday.

Bail for Ramona Mejia Gervasio, 32, who is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and receiving stolen goods, was set at the equivalent of around £2,000.

Keniel Martin, 20, and a 17 year-old have been charged with both murders, robbery and receiving stolen goods, and are in custody.

Two other women have been charged with offences connected to the murders.