A BODY found hidden in woodland in Kent has been identified as that of Sarah Everard.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave made the announcement outside Scotland Yard on Friday.

He said: “As you know, on Wednesday evening detectives investigating the disappearance of Sarah Everard discovered a body secreted in woodland in Kent.

“The body has now been recovered and formal identification procedure has now been undertaken.

“I can now confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard.”

Ephgrave said that Sarah Everard’s family had been told this “most distressing news” and the “thoughts and prayers of the entire organisation” remain with Sarah Everard’s family “at this awful time”.

He added: “Specialist officers remain in constant contact with Sarah’s family, and will continue to support them throughout the investigation and beyond.

READ MORE: Sarah Everard case prompts men and women to discuss attitudes on personal safety

“That investigation continues at a pace and we have hundreds of officers working round the clock to establish the full circumstances of Sarah’s disappearance, and her murder.”

The Metropolitan Police officer accused of her murder remains in custody, he added.

Ephgrave went on: “I know that the public feel hurt and angry about what has happened, and those are sentiments that I share personally, and I know my colleagues here at Scotland Yard and across the Met share as well.

“I also recognise the wider concerns that have been raised, quite rightly, about the safety of women in public spaces in London and also elsewhere in the country.

“I want to say now that this organisation, and the men and women in it, remain committed to protecting Londoners wherever they are in this city.

“And that commitment is undiminished by these events and if anything that commitment is strengthened by these tragic circumstances.”

Downing Street has said Boris Johnson “completely understands the strength of feeling” around Sarah Everard’s disappearance but urged people to abide by the coronavirus restrictions when asked about a proposed vigil.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “He understands the strength of feeling around this case and nobody could fail to be moved by the experiences shared by many women since Sarah’s disappearance.

“We are still in a pandemic, we would ask people to follow the rules and social distancing rules but we do understand the strength of feeling on this issue.”

READ MORE: Joanna Cherry: If ever there was a group living in fear, then it is women

Pressed again for his position on the protest, the spokesman said: “He does completely understand the strength of feeling on this and we would ask that people continue to follow the rules and social distancing rules.”

Senior Conservative MP Caroline Nokes has asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to step in and allow a vigil over the disappearance of Sarah Everard to go ahead.

The chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee said: “I have asked Priti to step in and enable it to happen.

“The organisers of the vigil appear to have mixed messages from the Met.

“The Home Secretary can send a very clear message that at this awful time, when women want to express their sorrow at the tragic death of Sarah Everard, want to 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.”