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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 1 hour later) | |
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after human remains were found during the search for a missing Met police officer. | A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after human remains were found during the search for a missing Met police officer. |
Veteran Westminster PC Gordon Semple, 59, was last seen on 1 April. | Veteran Westminster PC Gordon Semple, 59, was last seen on 1 April. |
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. | 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. |
The Met said it was a "very sad day" and PC Semple's colleagues would "acutely feel his loss". | The Met said it was a "very sad day" and PC Semple's colleagues would "acutely feel his loss". |
Officers are continuing a "vital search for evidence" at the flat which will take "some time" to complete, Scotland Yard said. | Officers are continuing a "vital search for evidence" at the flat which will take "some time" to complete, Scotland Yard said. |
PC Semple, who had served as a police officer for 30 years, was seen on CCTV in Great Guildford Street at 15:00 BST last Friday. His partner reported him missing later the same evening. | |
Earlier, the officer, from Greenhithe, Dartford, had a work meeting at the Shard's Shangri-La hotel, which he left at about 12:30 BST. | |
Scotland Yard's homicide unit joined the search effort for PC Semple, leading to the discovery of the remains at the flat. | |
Commander Alison Newcomb said the find was a "significant development". | |
Due to condition of the remains, she said, it would take "some time" to establish a cause of death and carry out formal identification. | |
"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. | "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. |
"At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened. | "At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened. |
"My thoughts are with Gordon's family and friends at this time of personal tragedy." | "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." | "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." |
PC Semple was originally from Inverness and had worked for Bank of Scotland before joining the police. | |
A statement from his family said: "Gordon's family would like to thank everyone for their support throughout this difficult time. | |
"Your support and help to find Gordon was overwhelming. | "Your support and help to find Gordon was overwhelming. |
"He was a loved partner, brother, uncle and friend to many." | "He was a loved partner, brother, uncle and friend to many." |
'Deeply disturbing' | 'Deeply disturbing' |
Former Inverness Labour MP David Stewart was friends with PC Semple at school and they had met up when they both worked in the capital. | |
Friends and colleagues also paid tribute to him on Facebook. | |
Nigel Lewis said: "Deeply disturbing and saddening news after 9 years working with Gordon. The community he served will be as shocked as the rest of us. RIP." | Nigel Lewis said: "Deeply disturbing and saddening news after 9 years working with Gordon. The community he served will be as shocked as the rest of us. RIP." |
Andy Dighton wrote: "RIP mate. Sunday lunch time will never be the same again. Love to Gary and the Semple family." | Andy Dighton wrote: "RIP mate. Sunday lunch time will never be the same again. Love to Gary and the Semple family." |
Kathy Whittington said: "Absolutely devastated that I'm not going to see your face at work anymore Gordon! Much love goes out to your family at the very difficult time xx." | Kathy Whittington said: "Absolutely devastated that I'm not going to see your face at work anymore Gordon! Much love goes out to your family at the very difficult time xx." |