A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a police officer whose decomposed remains were found in a London flat.

The remains of Inverness-born Gordon Semple, 59, were discovered in a property in the Peabody Estate a week after he went missing on April 1.

The discovery was made after a neighbour alerted Scotland Yard to a "smell of death" coming from the flat in Southwark, south London.

Stefano Brizzi, 49, was arrested at the property, which was his flat, and appeared via videolink at London's Bromley Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, he appeared calm as he confirmed his name, age and address during the brief hearing.

Brizzi, who is an Italian citizen but a UK resident, sat next to his lawyer in Lewisham Police Station while he listened to proceedings.

Brizzi, of Peabody Estate, Southwark Street, is charged with murdering Mr Semple at his flat on a day between April 1 and April 7. At one point he raised his hand to interject in proceedings to ask about his legal aid.

No indication of plea was given and the chairwoman of the bench Sue Polydorou remanded him in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on April 13.

Mr Semple had been with the Metropolitan Police for 30 years.