Danish diplomat betrayed Denmark, received gentle legacy – but was 'worth gold' to Poland

For nearly 40 years, Einar Blechingberg served in the Danish foreign service, a tenure marked by a hidden betrayal. In 1958, it was discovered that Blechingberg, then working in Washington, had leaked confidential information to Poland. This revelation led journalist Michael Kuttner to investigate the diplomat's past for his new book, "Den Danske Spion."

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For many years, Michael Kuttner wondered how an apparently incompetent drunkard could work in the Danish foreign service for almost 40 years, until he was exposed in 1958 for having leaked confidential information to Poland.

Despite the gravity of espionage, Kuttner found that many of his sources still viewed Blechingberg with a degree of fondness. They remembered him not as a traitor, but as a charming rogue, dismissing the scandal as a minor affair. This perception highlights a complex legacy, where personal charisma may have overshadowed national security concerns for some.

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Our man in Washington

Blechingberg's long career in the Danish foreign service, coupled with his ability to maintain a positive image among acquaintances despite his actions, raises questions about how such betrayals were perceived and handled. Kuttner's book aims to shed light on this intriguing figure and the circumstances surrounding his espionage.

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Our man in Washington. Trump not only listens to his new friend – he openly praises him