British diplomat still missing after going for a jog three weeks ago

Police searching for a prominent British diplomat who disappeared after going for a run have today released two new pictures of him.

Richard Morris, 52, was last seen on the morning of May 6 after leaving his £1m detached home in the village of Bentley, near Alton, Hampshire, to go jogging.

Mr Morris had been due to take up the position of British High Commissioner to Fiji in July.

But last week specialist search teams were scouring Alice Holt Forest – where Mr Morris was known to take part in Park Runs – for any sign of the missing father-of-three.

Days earlier police issued an appeal to drivers who were in the area on the day he disappeared and urged them to check dash-cam footage in case they had captured images of him before he vanished.

Mr Morris was the ambassador to Nepal between 2015 and November 2019 and accompanied the Duke of Sussex on a tour of the country in 2016.

He had previously been head of the Pacific department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and held senior diplomatic posts including in Australia and Mexico.

He is described as white with a beard and greying hair, around 6ft tall and has a distinctive birthmark on his face. He was wearing a blue long-sleeved top, black shorts and blue trainers.

Chief Inspector Alex Reading, who is the District Commander for East Hampshire, said today: ‘We are again appealing for any new information that may help us locate Richard Morris.

‘We are asking the public, particularly those who frequent Alice Holt forest or the areas surrounding Isington Road, to remain vigilant.’

Mr Reading continued: ‘We are beyond grateful for the support and information we have already received from the public in this investigation so far, please get in touch if you have anything that could assist us further.

‘We are continuing to keep Richard’s family updated and support them at this difficult time.’

Neighbours in Bentley have been left mystified by Mr Morris’s disappearance.

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