Accidental death verdict recorded on young GCHQ analyst

GCHQ worker Darren Patterson who was found dead at his home suffered from an aggressive form of diabetes, an inquest heard.

Despite careful monitoring of the disease, the young analyst had suffered a number of low blood sugar attacks.

Gloucestershire Deputy Coroner David Dooley recorded an accidental verdict after hearing he had probably died because he had suffered another episode and had been unable to help himself.

After the inquest at Gloucester Coroners Court, Mr Patterson's father Norman said: "We were very proud of Darren. He managed his difficult condition as well as he could but he knew the risks and so did we."

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He thanked Darren's work colleagues at GCHQ and the Gloucester coroner's staff for all their "excellent support".

Darren, 34, was found at his flat in Bath Road in Cheltenham on June 26 last year. He had worked at GCHQ since leaving Durham university with a degree in French and Russian.

His father told Mr Dooley that Darren was diagnosed with the aggressive form of diabetes in 2004. "He managed it well but would occasionally suffer episodes of severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)," he said.

"He kept glucose tablets and an opened bottle of Coke nearby at all times in case he needed them.

"He had been told by the experts that his insulin management was excellent and work colleagues had seen him checking his blood sugar during the day before his death."

Darren's GP Dr John Williams said he had suffered a hypoglycaemic attack two weeks before his death but had made a full recovery.

The inquest was told a post mortem could not find any definitive cause of death but samples showed a high level of insulin.

Pathologist Dr John McCarthy said when a hypoglycaemic attack occurred, the brain stopped working and a person could quickly become unconscious.

Summing up, Mr Dooley said Darren took an appropriate level of insulin but it resulted in an imbalance in his body.

A GCHQ spokesman said: "Darren was a dedicated member of GCHQ staff who was reliable and capable with a brilliant sense of humour and an infectious laugh. He will be very much missed by all at GCHQ and our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time."