UK's NATO ambassador Angus Lapsley is embroiled in controversy over his relationship with a much younger Italian intern living at his official residence.
The UK’s ambassador to NATO, Angus Lapsley, has become the center of a scandal involving his relationship with an Italian intern, who is reportedly half his age. According to reports from The Times, Lapsley allowed the intern to live with him at his official residence in Brussels, where they openly engaged in their relationship and attended official events together. While NATO has no specific regulations against such personal relationships, they could lead to serious consequences within the British armed forces, hinting at a possible violation of protocol.
The relationship has raised eyebrows within NATO, attracting attention even from high-ranking officials such as Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the deputy supreme allied commander Europe. Lapsley, who is 55 years old and a father of two, was reportedly seen using his residence as if it were his personal home, with the intern present during festive periods like Christmas and summer receptions, suggesting a casualness that could be viewed as inappropriate given his position.
Despite the mounting scrutiny and controversy, it appears that Lapsley has been allowed to retain his position within NATO. The situation reflects a potential disconnect between the informal culture at NATO and the more rigid expectations of conduct within the British military establishment, raising questions about accountability and conduct among high-ranking officials.
