A royal protection officer has appeared in court charged with making threats to kill and witness intimidation.

Pc Paul Page, 35, from Essex, has been under investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Director of Professional Standards over his financial dealings.

He was suspended from duty in December 2006 following a career break.

He appeared before Waltham Forest Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody. He is to appear before magistrates again on 18 April.

Mr Page has guarded the Queen and Royal Family at Buckingham and St James's palaces for five years.