Alleged spy and former Royal Marine feared ‘humiliation’ of conviction

Asked if he thought Trickett, a Home Office immigration officer, was “in any way serious about that”, he said: “Not at the time, no.

“The conversation was when he says words to that effect or pretty much that: ‘If I was found guilty of this I would kill myself’.

“I sort of said ‘oh mate, don’t be silly’; he said he thought I’d understand.”

He added: “I didn’t think he was serious and for me personally I regret that I maybe didn’t pay enough attention as I should have.

“But it had come across as just maybe a passing conversation, not someone who was really struggling.”

A potential trial date for Trickett was almost a year away “so it was nothing I was concerned about immediately”, Williams told jurors.

Two co-defendants charged as part of the same investigation were jailed in June.

He had worked providing security protection from 2013 and his clients had included Middle Eastern royal families.

Asked what Trickett said he dreaded the most about conviction, Williams told jurors: “The humiliation and not being able to work in the security world again.”

Connor said: “I’m going to suggest… humiliation would a big factor for somebody who had served his country like he did.” Williams agreed.

The inquest, which is expected to conclude next week, continues.