An ‘outstanding’ diplomat was found hanging in a forest after suffering extreme stress working for the Government’s Covid taskforce at the height the pandemic, an inquest heard today.
Former ambassador to Nepal Richard Morris, 52, worked long hours, helping co-ordinate briefings to ministers at a time when the UK was battling the fierce first wave of coronavirus.
On Monday, his widow fought back tears as she told an inquest he had been ‘totally unprotected’ from the demands of the Covid taskforce.
Alison Morris said her husband feared there was not enough time to process information and she had to tell him ‘he was not responsible for Covid-19’.
As a result he was ‘desperate’ to keep on top of what was going on, working every day with ‘no real time off’, she said.
Mr Morris was last seen running near his home in Hampshire on May 6, 2020, and his body was found three months later.
An inquest into his death resumed on Monday in Winchester.
Addressing the coroner, Ms Morris said her husband was a ‘quiet extrovert’ who ‘thrived on interactions with others’.
Richard Morris, 52, was asked to help with the Government’s Covid taskforce during pandemic
His tearful widow Alison said he was ‘totally unprotected’ from the taskforce’s demands
‘He was genuinely interested in people. His kindness and compassion shone through even when there was a language barrier.’
After several years living in Nepal, the couple returned to the UK, where Mr Morris worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London for several months ahead of their expected posting to Fiji.
Ms Morris said: ‘Richard was proud to work for the FCDO and enjoyed his work.
‘He found it varied, stimulating and compelling.’
The inquest heard that Mr Morris found the return to working in London difficult.
He was assigned to the case of Harry Dunn, the 19-year-old killed when a car crashed into his motorbike outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire which sparked a diplomatic incident.
Mr Morris was later asked to assist with the Government’s Covid-19 taskforce, helping to co-ordinate briefings for ministers.
This was at a time when Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in intensive care and news about coronavirus was changing every day.
Inquest heard that Mr Morris had ‘no time off’ and had become stressed and overworked
Mr Morris was last seen running near his home in Hampshire on May 6, 2020, and his body was found three months later
‘It was the most stressful job he had ever done’, Ms Morris told the inquest.
‘He was extremely stressed.
‘I don’t know when the night sweats started but I told Richard he should see a doctor. He said that he was just stressed. The bed would be completely drenched.’
She said Mr Morris felt there was not enough time for him to ensure all information provided was accurate.
‘On top of that, the potential fallout from any error he might make was likely to be very public.
‘If any information error got passed him the Government or the Civil Service would be torn apart,’ she said.
On May 6 2020, Mr Morris went for a run near his home – something he often did to relieve stress – but did not return.
The inquest heard that police were called and extensive searches were carried out.
Months later, on August 31, his body was discovered in Alice Holt Forest.
Dominic Raab broke the news to Foreign Office staff that Richard Morris had died and described him as an ‘outstanding diplomat’ who ‘served his country with distinction’, his inquest heard.
Raab, then Foreign Secretary, sent an internal memo to Foreign Office staff after Mr Morris’ body was found on August 31, 2020.
Winchester Coroner’s Court, Hants, heard the Deputy Prime Minister led the tributes to him.
Raab said: ‘We’ve had the tragic news that they have found the body of our much-liked colleague Richard Morris.
‘I am deeply saddened by his death and my heart goes out to his wife and his three children.
‘Many of you will feel this personally.
‘He served his country with distinction as an outstanding diplomat who embodied the best of Her Majesty’s government.
‘He was an immensely well-liked colleague and he will be hugely missed.’
Peter Jones, COO of the Foreign Office at the time, said many colleagues paid tribute to Mr Morris, describing him as a ‘true diplomat’ and ‘the very best of us’.
Mr Jones, now retired, said: ‘We are blessed to have many dedicated and nice people but on both counts Richard really stood out.’
The inquest continues.
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