Day: 11 April 2016
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Murder Suspect Of Gay Cop Has Virtual Court Appearance
A man has appeared in custody via virtual court at Bromley Magistrates’ Court in connection to the murder of Gordon Semple.
CREDIT: Facebook A 49-year-old charged with the murder of an openly gay police officer in London has appeared in custody via virtual court at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.
No indication of plea was given.
Stefano Brizzi was remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on the 13th April. Mr. Brizzi was wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, as he confirmed his name, age and address via video link from Lewisham Police Station.
Detectives working on the case are now satisfied that the remains found at an address in London are those of Gordon Semple, 59, who went missing on the 1st April.
Earlier today Mr. Semple’s brother paid a painful tribute to Mr. Semple and spoke about their heartbreaking loss.
He said,
On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.
I would also like to thank Oliver Westbury for setting up “Gordon Semple, 59 missing” Facebook appeal page and also other cousins and nephews who tried to find Gordon.
Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness & London, Friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.
Gordon was a much loved Partner, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Cousin and our world will be a worse place without him.
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A post-mortem exam was carried out on the 8th April but the cause of death has yet to be established. A further post-mortem is to be carried out on the 13th April.
Detectives are treating his death as a murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation into Gordon’s murder, said:
“I am keen to trace a man who went to Brizzi’s flat in Southwark Street on Friday, 1 April at about 15:00. He was there for only one minute, and did not go inside, but it is incredibly important that we speak to him.
“If you are that man please come forward and call us on 020 8721 4961. I will treat what you tell me with sensitivity and confidentiality – please get in touch with us I need to talk to you.”
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Family and Partner Of Slain Gay Cop Mourn His Death
The family and partner of Gordon Semple have released a heartbreaking message on Facebook mourning the tragic loss.
CREDIT: Metropolitan Police The family and partner of Gordon Semple whose body was discovered in London after an extensive public appeal by the Metropolitan Police have released a heartbreaking message paying tribute to the openly gay PC saying that he would be sadly missed by his family, partner and co-workers in the Met.
A man has been charged with Mr. Semple’s murder.
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Mr Semple’s brother wrote,
On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.
I would also like to thank Oliver Westbury for setting up “Gordon Semple, 59 missing” Facebook appeal page and also other cousins and nephews who tried to find Gordon.
Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness & London, Friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.
Gordon was a much loved Partner, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Cousin and our world will be a worse place without him.
It would be appreciated if the family is given time to grieve privately.
Police are not speculating on the cause of death and added,
A post-mortem will be held in due course, and until that has taken place we will not speculate on the cause of death.
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Bryan Adams Cancels Show Over Anti-LGBT Laws
Bryan Adams has become the latest star to pull out of an event because of a State’s anti-LGBT laws.
CREDIT: S Buckley / BigStock International rock star Bryan Adams has pulled out of a concert in Mississippi because of the State’s anti-LGBT law.
The law which is similar to those now enforced in North Carolina, which caused Paypal to pull out of a $3.6 million investment and Bruce Springsteen to cancel his appearance at the Greensboro Coliseum.
The cancelled show was due to take place on Thursday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.
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The Canadian singer said couldn’t “in good conscience” perform where “certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation”.
The “Religious Liberty” bill 1523, which will come into affect on the 1st July will allow some private businesses and religious groups to refuse services to LGBT people in accordance with their religious beliefs.
It is the first of it’s kind law which will allow the discrimination of anyone, including single mothers and gay couples, who to offend someone’s “sincerely held religious belief.”
Users of social media have now made calls for other stars,including Dolly Parton, to join Bruce Springsteen in standing up for LGBT rights in North Carolina.
https://twitter.com/TheCamrynStone/status/719193458464808960
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Police Confirmed The Death Of Gay London Police Officer
Police have confirmed that human remains found in London are that of officer Gordon Semple, who was openly gay.
CREDIT: Metropolitan Police Police in London have issued a statement that human remains found are those of an openly gay PC, Gordon Semple, 59. who was reported missing on the 1st April 2016.
Commander Alison Newcomb released a statement saying that the Metropolitan police were not able to speculate on the cause of Mr. Semple’s death, but a man has been arrested after human remains were found at Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, SE1.
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Police were called the scene when a member of the public got in contact with the police after confirms of a foul odour coming from the scene.
“At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened.
“… a forensic search started at the address and is ongoing. It will take some time for us to complete that work. It is a vital search for evidence. I would like to thank the local residents for their patience and support.
“My thoughts are with Gordon’s family and friends at this time of personal tragedy. I would ask that they are given the space and privacy they need to come to terms with this development.
“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.”
Police are not speculating on the cause of death and added,
A post-mortem will be held in due course, and until that has taken place we will not speculate on the cause of death.
