A north politician has spoken of his hopes that a missing school friend and Metropolitan Police officer will be found safe and well.
A search is under way in London for Gordon Semple, who was last seen on Friday near the 95-storey Shard skyscraper in the UK capital.
Originally from Inverness, the serving Westminster police officer was reported missing by his partner after the 59-year-old failed to return.
Hundreds of people have backed an online social media campaign to find Mr Semple in the last few days.
David Stewart, former north MSP and MP and current Scottish Labour candidate for Inverness and Nairn seat at Holyrood, went to Inverness High School with him.
He said last night: “I just hope he his found safe and well. My thoughts are obviously with his family at this worrying time.
“Gordon was an old school friend of mine, who I knew for many years at the High School.
“I went to my first Scotland international with him – I think it was a qualifier for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany – and I met up with him when I was in the Commons.”
Mr Semple’s brother Ronnie, an Inverness taxi driver, said the family was being kept updated by the Metropolitan Police.
The missing man is understood to have left the Highland capital aged 18 to work in the banking sector.
He lives in Greenhithe, Dartford, and is a serving police constable based in Westminster Borough, working in the anti-social behaviour team at Westminster City Council.
A police spokesman said: “Gordon’s disappearance is not believed to be linked with his employment.
“He was reported missing by his partner after failing to return home from work.
“The last known sighting of him was around 3pm in the area of The Shard, Southwark Street area, of London Bridge.
“Gordon is described as a white man, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with shaved head. He was last seen wearing brown shoes, dark trousers and a lilac shirt.
“Officers urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to call police in Westminster via 101 or Missing People on 116000 quoting ref 16MIS013292.”
