OREANDA-NEWS. Secret documents from the UK Department of Defense about the destroyer Defender, discovered in June at a bus stop, were lost due to the fault of a senior official, Angus Lapsley. It is reported by the Guardian newspaper, citing government sources.

In late June, British media reported that classified documents from the UK Department of Defense had been found at a bus stop in Kent. The source who found the 50-page document, who wished to remain anonymous, himself notified the journalists of his find. The documents also discussed the possible reaction of Russia to the passage of the destroyer Defender. The British Defense Ministry called the leak a "mistake".

Lapsley was in line for the post of UK permanent representative to NATO, sources said. After the loss of documents, the official is less likely to get a promotion, but it is still possible, the newspaper writes. Lapsley was sent to work temporarily at the Ministry of Defense from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but has now returned to the Foreign Ministry, he has also been denied access to classified documents.

"However, the decision on the final punishment has not yet been made," the newspaper writes, noting that the official will most likely be denied access to the state secret for several months.

According to the Guardian, some sources in the government are unhappy with the lack of exemplary punishment: in their opinion, this will prevent departments from imposing sanctions against junior employees who made similar mistakes. The Defense Department found no traces of espionage in Lapsley's actions and concluded that all the documents had been returned, the newspaper said.

According to the publication, Lapsley is a respected official, he began his career back in 1991, served as the personal secretary of Prime Minister Tony Blair, and then moved to the Foreign Ministry. Lapsley participates in panel discussions of think tanks on foreign and defense policy issues.