British diplomat is dead at just 37
BRITAIN’S deputy ambassador to Hungary has died of coronavirus aged 37.
Steven Dick said last week that he had tested positive but was ‘feeling fine’. However, on Tuesday evening the high-flying diplomat died in hospital in Budapest.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab led the tributes last night, saying: ‘I am desperately saddened by the news of Steven’s death.
‘Steven was a dedicated diplomat and represented his country with great skill and passion. He will be missed by all those who knew him and worked with him.’
The Glasgow-born diplomat had been with the Foreign Office since 2008 and had also served in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
He had served as Deputy Head of Mission in Hungary since last October. He arrived in the country in
June to study Hungarian and quickly became fluent.
His parents said in a statement: ‘Steven was kind, funny and generous. It was always his dream to work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.’
The Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, Sir Simon McDonald, said: ‘This is simply shattering news. I knew Steven personally and he was an exemplary officer and a lovely man.
‘He was just starting out on what was sure to be an outstanding career and his friends around the world and across the FCO will miss him sorely.’
The UK Ambassador to Hungary, Iain Lindsay, said: ‘Steven was a dear colleague and friend who had made a tremendous impression in Hungary since his arrival last October with his personal warmth and his sheer professionalism, not least his excellent Hungarian. We will miss him so much.’
Three months ago, Mr Dick told an interviewer his motto was: ‘Better to regret what you’ve done than regret not having done it.’
Last night Foreign Office sources would not say whether Mr Dick had underlying health concerns.