A retired British barrister is feared to have died in Seychelles after going missing on a jungle hike.
Peter Clement, 57, who was reportedly on holiday to celebrate his retirement, was last seen walking alone on the 12-mile Grande Barbe trail on Silhouette Island on 15 May.
No trace has been found of the former head of chambers at 2 Harcourt Buildings in London after a search using helicopter, boats and drones. One theory is that he may have run into difficulties when bad weather set in while walking the trail, which runs from one side of the mountainous island to the other.
In a statement on its website, 2 Harcourt Buildings said: “It is with deep shock and sadness that we must announce the loss of our dear friend, colleague and former head of chambers Peter Clement. He had recently retired after an illustrious career at the criminal bar, practising from 2 Harcourt Buildings for over 30 years
“Before joining chambers he was a captain in the army legal service and served in Northern Ireland. He was much loved and respected by everyone in chambers and also among his many friends at the criminal bar. He will be deeply missed.”
The local Le Seychellois newspaper had reported earlier in the search that the weather had been so severe it was unlikely Clement would be found alive.
According to the police all his personal belongings and travel documents were found intact in his hotel room, the weekly paper reported.
It added that in an unusual move, the police said the persisting bad weather conditions had diminished hopes of finding the British man alive.
A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed the department was supporting the family of a British man missing in Seychelles and that it was liaising with the local authorities.
Matthew Scott, a barrister at Pump Court Chambers, was among many in the profession to pay tribute to Clement, describing him as a “fine advocate and a man it was impossible not to like”.
Robert Verkaik, a journalist and author who studied with Clement, said: “Extraordinary, funny man with no shortage of opinions, a student mature beyond his years. His bar career was a credit to his hard work and intelligence.”
