Police handling of a missing woman whose remains were discovered in Edinburgh is being investigated.

The death of Saima Ahmed remains unexplained after her body was discovered in the grounds of a mansion in the outskirts of the city in January - five months after she disappeared.

The 36-year-old was reported missing from her home in Wembley, north London, in August and her family believes she may have been murdered.

Police Scotland is still investigating her death but the initial missing person inquiry was dealt with by the Metropolitan Police, which is now being investigated for its handling of the case.

The Met’s investigation has been referred to police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), along with a complaint from Ms Ahmed's family.

Ms Ahmed was last seen on August 30 boarding a train at Wembley Central station instead of going to work and detectives believe she took further trains to Edinburgh.

Her remains were found at Gogar Mount House on January 9, some 400 miles from her home.

Ms Ahmed's sister Saiqa, 37, claimed Met officers initially failed to take the case seriously, classifying her as "low-risk" despite the disappearance being "totally out of character".

An IPCC spokesman said: "The IPCC is conducting an independent investigation into the Metropolitan Police's response to the missing person report of Saima Ahmed.

“It will look at the risk assessment applied, whether appropriate inquiries were made and how Saima's family were dealt with."

A Met spokesman said the force could not comment on an ongoing independent investigation.

Police Scotland said earlier this month it had received only a small number of calls following an appeal for information.

Detective chief inspector Martin MacLean said: "Saima's death remains unexplained as we continue to carry out various lines of inquiry.

"We're committed to doing everything possible to establish the circumstances surrounding her death and I thank the people who have come forward thus far."