Dudley North's lost command opportunity

What happened to Dudley North after the Gibraltar controversy?

Although cleared of the accusation, North lost the critical window for another major command, and the delay effectively ended the wartime career path he might otherwise have followed.

Dudley North was accused of being too accommodating toward the French at Gibraltar. Although eventually cleared, he spent the period when another wartime command might have become available dealing with the accusation. The lost time prevented him from continuing along the command path he otherwise might have followed. His case illustrates how an investigation could damage an officer's prospects even without a finding of guilt.