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Missing PC Gordon Semple: Man arrested on suspicion of murder Missing PC Gordon Semple: Man arrested on suspicion of murder
(about 9 hours later)
Detectives searching for a serving police officer who has been missing for six days have arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after human remains were found during the search for a missing Met police officer.
Met Police officers are also searching a property in Southwark, London, where they have found human remains. Veteran Westminster PC Gordon Semple, 59, was last seen on 1 April.
Westminster officer Gordon Semple, 59, from Greenhithe, Kent, was last seen on 1 April in the London Bridge area. On Thursday, police found remains at a flat on the Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, south London, and arrested a 49-year-old at the address.
Police said his family had been informed about the "significant development". The Met said it was a "very sad day" and PC Semple's colleagues would "acutely feel his loss".
A spokesman said: "We are unable to make formal identification at this stage, but this is devastating news for all those involved in the search for Gordon." Officers are continuing a "vital search for evidence" at the flat which will take "some time" to complete, Scotland Yard said.
Police who were called to an address on the Peabody Estate on Thursday afternoon found human remains, he said. Appealing for information, Commander Alison Newcomb said the arrest and discovery of the remains was a "significant development".
He said forensic work was under way at the scene which may take some time. Due to the condition of the remains, she said, it would take "some time" to establish a cause of death and carry out formal identification.
A post-mortem examination would be held in due course, he added. "A man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in our custody and is being questioned by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command," she said.
He said police would not speculate about what had happened or any possible motive at this stage, and would not speculate on the cause of death until post-mortem tests had taken place. "At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened.
On 1 April, PC Semple, who is originally from Inverness, had a work meeting at the Shard's Shangri-La hotel and left at about 12:30 BST. "My thoughts are with Gordon's family and friends at this time of personal tragedy."
"This is a very sad day for Gordon's colleagues. There are many officers who have served London alongside Gordon during his 30 year career who will acutely feel his loss."
On 1 April, PC Semple, from Greenhithe, Dartford, had a work meeting at the Shard's Shangri-La hotel and left at about 12:30 BST.
He was seen on CCTV in Great Guildford Street at 15:00 BST and his partner reported him missing later that night.He was seen on CCTV in Great Guildford Street at 15:00 BST and his partner reported him missing later that night.
PC Semple has no children but still has family in Scotland. PC Semple, who is originally from Inverness, has no children but still has family in Scotland.
The man under arrest is being held in custody.The man under arrest is being held in custody.