In spite of the high moral tone of his campaign, and his lionization by liberal British media outlets, his campaign has encountered vigorous criticism from some quarters of the policy-making and academic establishments in Britain and Uzbekistan. An Uzbek expert on international law told EurasiaNet that while human rights activists generally appreciated Murray’s activities, many members of the diplomatic community in Tashkent believe the former envoy’s personal lifestyle, along with his high-profile oppositional stance, undermined his work as a diplomat. Murray reportedly hosted extravagant parties during his tenure in Tashkent, prompting disapproval in some circles.

A British scholar of Central Asia with sympathy for Murray’s rights concerns, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the former envoy’s confrontational approach prompted retaliation against those Uzbeks he spoke with, and deterred people from seeking help at the embassy. Murray, he argued, should have used diplomatic channels to assist people. EurasiaNet put this to Murray, who rejected it as “the excuse of cowardly people. It is utter nonsense to suggest people were put off coming to the embassy.”