Angus Lapsey
Angus Lapsley lost sensitive documents about the British special forces in Cabul, Afghanistan, among which one who said: “only to the eyes of the UK.” But “You can’t overdo it,” says Durão Barroso.
Behind a Kent County Bus Stop in Southeast England, near London, a pawn found a wet papers, but these 50 leaves were not exactly trash: they were Secret Military Documents About the operations of the British Special Forces in Cabul, Afghanistan.
Anyone who forgot about these documents as they ran for work – leaving the Americans “furious” unintentionally – was a British diplomat who, four years later, should be appointed UK ambassador to Nato.
Documents included details about the location of troops and potential Russian reactions to military maneuvers. Were considered highly sensitive, but despite the controversy, Angus Lapsley It is now on the front line to the prestigious position in the alliance, reveal sources of.
Lapsley’s political career suffered after his oblivion, which led to the temporary suspension of his safety authorization, the newspaper recalls. Some of the files the diplomat lost were marked with the words “Official Sensitive” (“” official sensitive “) and at least in one of the documents read “Secret, UK Eyes Only” (in Portuguese, “secret, only for the eyes of the United Kingdom”). Within this document would be the exact number of soldiers in places spread throughout the Afghan capital.
The ‘gaffe’ left the Americans “furious”, tells the source of the British government headquarters to the Times, since the escape of information contained in those files could endanger the lives of US soldiers, highlighted in equal positions or very close to the British soldiers in Cabul.
Following the episode, Lapsley was discreetly transferred From his position in the Ministry of Defense for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO). After all, the diplomat has never been accused of anything under the law of official secrets, which contradicts the trend verified in similar cases of security failures. Yes, it was transferred to the NATOwhere he assumed the position of Deputy Secretary-General for Defense Policy and Planning and where he was most recently involved in the elaboration of the British Government’s Defense Strategy review.
“We are very good to reward failure“, Fired the same government source, which ensures that the appointment should be announced next week. But the decision is being questioned by employees and a senior defense source, which he considers “deeply worrying May the FCDO and the Ministry of Defense not take security seriously. ”
On the other hand, Lapsley continues to be well seen in diplomatic circles. Has the support, among others, the president of the EU Council, Durão Barrosowho stated that “the United Kingdom is fulfilling its penance and has been leading the strategic review of the defense” and that “You can’t overdo it The importance ”of the secret file forgotten in that bus stop.
“There should be a real concern about decision making behind this process. The importance of this safety failure and the impact it had at the time cannot be exaggerated, ”said the former Prime Minister of Portugal.
To date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued an official statement about its appointment, expected next week.
Tomás Guimarães, Zap //
