Tia Sharp's grandmother’s partner was driven off by police this afternoon to assist them with their inquiries.

Stuart Hazell, 37, was not under arrest and was not handcuffed as he was led away by officers to a south London police station to be interviewed as witness.

Mr Hazell is the partner of Tia’s grandmother Christine Sharp and was one of the last people to see Tia before she went missing.

Tia's Uncle David Sharp posted this on Facebook following the development:

"Stuart has done nothing wrong the police r doing there job he has got to make a formal statement that's all so stop pointing your fingers we are not the sick family u are trying to make out so if u are not willing to help find Tia LEAVE THIS SITE."

The news came not long after Commander Neil Basu had briefed the media at Scotland Yard that a new witness had come forward and made a statement saying they had seen Tia leave the house in The Lindens New addington alone on Friday at midday.

Cmdr Basu said the police would be following up that line of enquiry and sent his wishes to Tia’s family who he said must be going through a difficult time.

Mr Basu said the public have been a great help during the investigation so far and said they 60 calls from people saying they had seen Tia. The police also are still searching through over 800 hours of CCTV footage.

The commander also said that he had been moved by the generosity of local community groups such as New Addington Pathfinders.

Earlier on in the day Tia’s natural father, Stuart Carter, told the Croydon Guardian that he believed Tia will be ok.

He said he will be relighting his candle when Tia is back at home.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4005 or Missing People on 116 000 quoting reference 12MIS025216.