PC Gordon Semple: Man arrested on suspicion of murder

Police have arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder, six days after serving police officer PC Gordon Semple disappeared in the London Bridge area.

The 59-year-old Scot, who lived in Greenhithe in Kent, was last seen on 1 April. Detectives are searching a house on the Peabody estate in Southwark, south London, where they yesterday discovered human remains.

Police said while it was too early for a formal identification, the find is "devastating news for all those involved in the search for Gordon". Forensic work at the scene is still ongoing and a post mortem will be held later.

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Semple, who worked in an anti-social behaviour unit attached to Westminster Council, attended a work meeting at the Shangri-La hotel, in the Shard, on 1 April. He left the meeting at 12.30pm and was last recorded on CCTV at 3pm in Great Guildford Street, Southwark. He was still on duty at the time.

His partner, Gary Meeks, reported him missing later that night.

Friend Mark Dighton told the Daily Mail that Meeks is being "supported by his step-mum and police". "They had been together for a long time," he said.

"I am devastated," he added." He was a very good friend of mine for a number of years."