Richard Morris: Top British diplomat missing

Police in Hampshire have issued a new appeal for information about a top British diplomat who has been missing since he went for a run last week.

People in and around the Bentley area of Farnham were urged to check sheds and gardens to help in the search for Richard Morris, 52, who has a distinctive birthmark on his face.

Police also appealed for any CCTV footage that might offer clues on what happened to the married father-of-three, as the Foreign Office says it is "extremely worried" about his disappearance.

Mr Morris, who is due to become the UK's high commissioner to Fiji in July, was last seen at around 10.30am on 6 May when he left his home in Bentley.

A diplomatic colleague said his disappearance was very out of character. Mr Morris's previous diplomatic posting was as ambassador to Nepal.

Hampshire Police issued an appeal for information on the day he went missing. It noted that he has a port wine birthmark on his face, is white, 6ft tall, with greying hair and a beard.

"His family are understandably concerned for his welfare," the statement said.

The second police appeal on Monday thanked the public for their response.

"We are now asking residents in the surrounding areas if they could assist by checking sheds, outbuildings and gardens," the police statement said.

"We would also love to hear from any residents or businesses with CCTV that could help our enquiries."

The police urged local people not to attempt to look for Mr Morris outside of their own property.

"We would like to reassure people that we have professional search teams conducting a thorough search of local areas," the statement said.

"This is so teams can accurately monitor all areas that have been police searched to a professional standard and so potential tracking can be conducted by search dogs.

"We again appeal for anyone with information and also ask residents to check their outbuildings for any signs that someone might have been sheltering there or for discarded items.

"If you can help please get in touch by phoning 101 and quote the reference 44200160398."

An FCO spokesperson said: "Richard is a much valued and well liked colleague. We are extremely worried that he is missing and we all hope he will be found safe and well soon."

A career diplomat, Mr Morris was ambassador to Nepal for four years until November 2019.

Before that post, he was head of pacific department at the Foreign Office.

He had previously been consul general in Sydney and served in Mexico City.

A graduate from Aberystwyth University, Mr Morris joined the Foreign Office in 1990.

He worked in multiple departments, including on defence issues, cultural relations and spent time at the UK mission to the United Nations in New York.

He has a wife, a daughter and two sons.

His Foreign Office biography says that he "enjoys long-distance running, reading, travel, music and spending time with his family".

Mr Morris had completed a marathon up Mount Everest for a charity to support people with facial disfigurement.

He had finished the 42km race from Base Camp to Namche in seven hours and 51 minutes on 30 May last year.