A TEST VALLEY MP has said it is "heartbreaking" to hear the human remains found in a woodland in Kent are those of Sarah Everard, after police confirmed the news this afternoon (March 12).

Ms Everard went missing in south London on Wednesday (March 3) while walking home from a friend's house.

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave said a man - who is a serving Met officer - remains in custody at a London police station.

Reacting to the announcement, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, who represents most of Test Valley, tweeted: "[It is] heartbreaking news for the family and friends of Sarah Everard."

Ms Nokes stressed a vigil for Ms Everard should be allowed to go ahead on Saturday at Clapham Common - not far from where the 33-year-old went missing.

She said: "Amidst all the discussions about whether vigils can be Covid-secure, can we please remember this isn’t about “excited protesting women”, as one chap just emailed me, but about a young woman who has been killed."

Organisers of the vigil have now launched a legal challenge, which they plan to take to the High Court, after claiming police reversed a decision on allowing it to go ahead.

They said there had been an “about-face” by the Met Police and were told Saturday’s 'Reclaim These Streets' event would not be allowed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Nokes has already asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to “step in” and let the vigil to go ahead, so women can share their sorrow and express their solidarity against male violence in a socially distanced way.

“I have asked Priti to step in and enable it to happen,” she told PA news agency.

The MP said Ms Patel “can send a very clear message that, at this awful time, when women want to express their sorrow” at Ms Everard’s disappearance and “show their determination not to be intimidated by male violence against women and their solidarity with each other, they should be allowed to do so in a safe and socially distanced way”.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: “We understand the public’s strength of feeling and are aware of the statement issued by Reclaim These Streets with regard to a planned vigil for Sarah Everard in Clapham Common this weekend.

“We remain in discussion with the organisers about this event in light of the current Covid regulations.”

The event was organised after 33-year-old Ms Everard’s suspected kidnap and murder sparked anger over the safety of women on the UK’s streets.