No extradition request yet for suspect in murders of Sian Blake and her children

British police have not formally requested the extradition of the suspected killer of ex-EastEnders actress Sian Blake, according to reports.

Arthur Simpson-Kent was captured on the beach in Ghana yesterday after fleeing the UK following the deaths of his former partner and their two young sons, Zachary, eight, and four year-old Amon.

Pictures broadcast on BBC News show Simpson-Kent with his hands cuffed behind his back being paraded in front of the cameras and journalists in Ghana.

Scotland Yard detectives have flown to the West African country, but the BBC reported that the authorities are yet to make a formal request for his extradition.

The Ghanaian authorities cannot hold a suspect for more than 48 hours without putting him before a court, and so it is likely Simpson-Kent will go before a judge tomorrow and that police will apply to have him remanded in custody.

At a news conference in Ghana's capital Accra, Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "I want to pass on my thanks from myself and Scotland Yard and the UK authorities for all the work the Ghanaians have done for us in effecting an arrest.

"The work they have done has been outstanding and I am truly, truly grateful. I cannot thank them enough for what they have done.

"The second thing is our thoughts continue to, and always do remain with, Sian's family and the boys, this is why we are here, this is why we do what we do, and we are here to get justice for them.

"And thirdly, I have to say there is an ongoing criminal investigation now proceeding, here and in the United Kingdom, and I am very limited in what I can say because of those proceedings.

"Thank you again and to reiterate, thank you to the Ghanaian authorities for what they have done, they have been outstanding and those thanks have been passed on from the highest levels within the UK including the British High Commissioner here in Ghana.

"But also, the reason we are here is for Sian's family and the boys and we are here to see justice for them."