Lithuanian legislation does not provide for independent probe over London ambassador – PM

VILNIUS – With the presidential office saying that the head of state is still waiting for an independent inquiry into allegations against the country's Ambassador to the UK, Eitvydas Bajarunas, who has been summoned to Vilnius for consultations, the prime minister says that there are no provisions for such an inquiry in the country’s legislation.

“In accordance with [existing] legislation, the Law on the Diplomatic Service actually does not provide for such a genre – some kind of independent investigation,” Ingrida Simonyte told reporters on Tuesday.

“All investigations and all assessments of specific problems and specific situations are described in the statute of the Diplomatic Service and, in fact, neither the initiative itself is clear, on what basis it was created, nor why such a proposal had to be made in the first place."

Her comments came after Asta Skaisgiryte, an advisor to the Lithuanian president, said earlier on Tuesday that Gitanas Nauseda could only decide on the fate of Bajarunas after receiving the findings of “an independent investigation, which would be carried out in accordance with all institutional procedures”.

Some time ago, Bajarunas was accused by staff in London of misconduct and the violation of working conditions. Having looked into the complaints, the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs found irregularities and proposed considering Bajarunas' suitability to head the embassy.

In mid-October, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis suspended Bajarunas and summoned him to Vilnius for consultations. Nauseda then called the decision half-hearted.

For his part, Bajarunas has requested an independent investigation, claiming that he is being subjected to psychological abuse by the ministry, because his reputation is being damaged by information leaks to the media.