Angus Lapsley, Britain's Nato envoy, faced scrutiny over his relationship with a 29-year-old intern at the official residence. The affair sparked controversy, with concerns raised by Dame Caroline Wilson, the UK's incoming ambassador to the EU, regarding the appropriateness of their living arrangement. The relationship was deemed a significant point of concern and escalated to Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the deputy supreme allied commander in Europe and the most senior British officer in Nato. Despite initial concerns, a review of Nato's relationship policies concluded that no guidelines were violated, allowing Lapsley to continue in his role. However, the relationship became an open secret in Brussels, with sources revealing that Lapsley used the residence as if it were his and that the intern frequently attended social events there. The long-serving civil servant's personal life was further complicated by his separation from his wife, Gina, before moving to Brussels in 2022. Lapsley's tenure was marked by a series of incidents, including the loss of a 50-page classified file containing British special forces' locations in Kabul and the Royal Navy's movements in Crimea, which angered the Americans and led to concerns about US soldier safety. These incidents resulted in the suspension of his security clearance, although it was later reinstated after an investigation. The diary, which Lapsley left behind, contained thoughts about his frustration with the department and his relationships with individuals, leading to calls for a reconsideration of his security clearance by Sir Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary at the time. The Foreign Office's stance on personnel matters remained unchanged, with a spokesman stating that it was a longstanding policy not to comment on such issues.
