The decision to recall Lithuanian Ambassador to London Eitvydas Bajarūnas, who has been accused of abuse, for consultations is “half-hearted” and creates a flawed situation, President Gitanas Nausėda has said.
“We are creating a flawed situation, and it may be very difficult to get out of it. The most important thing is that the ambassador will continue to live with that stigma,” the president said in a video released by the presidential office.
“This is a half-hearted decision that does not solve anything. We have said that we are talking about a very serious matter, about the prestige of our diplomatic mission and the whole service, about the reputation of a particular diplomat, and, therefore, the best thing would have been to launch a full-scale internal investigation to get answers to all the questions,” he added.
If the mobbing and abuse accusations against Bajarūnas are confirmed, “the most severe measures, including dismissal, may be taken”, Nausėda said.
“There has been no official investigation so far. [...] We have a letter from the Inspectorate General, but it is based on statements from unnamed people and sources, and the letter was immediately leaked to the press, which does not do any honour,” presidential advisor Asta Skaisgirytė told LRT RADIO on Wednesday.
“The president is requesting an official investigation as the law requires,” she added.
The Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, says the investigation was carried out in accordance with the established procedures.
“It saddens me that few colleagues are familiar with our equal opportunities and violence prevention procedures. process says that people should be heard, that protection should be provided to people who complain,” said Inga Černiuk, chancellor of the Foreign Ministry.
“The investigation was carried out in accordance with the existing procedure. People were heard, and all parties involved were acquainted with the findings,” she added.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Monday signed a ministerial order suspending the functions of Eitvydas Bajarūnas, ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Sultanate of Oman and Portugal, as of October 19, “until the mission’s constructive and productive work is restored”.
On Monday, Bajarūnas stated that he is suffering from psychological abuse and asked for an independent investigation into the situation at the embassy.
At the beginning of October, the delfi.lt news website reported that inspectors from Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry found that Bajarūnas abuses his authority and inappropriately communicates with his staff at the embassy in London.
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