Freedom of Expression Expert: “So far, it is the most dimension where Kristersson has distanced themselves”
A security investigation into carelessness with classified documents was completed for almost two years without being made. Now it is questioned why it did not lead to any immediate police report.
“It is a matter for the Constitutional Committee to look at,” says freedom of speech expert Nils Funcke.
The investigation concerns former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm, who according to functional descriptions could be suspected of negligence with sensitive information. Funcke points out that an authority is required by law to report to the police whether an employee may have committed certain crimes. He believes that this did not happen and wonders what motives both the security manager and the prime minister had to let the matter depend.
Freedom of Expression and Privacy Expert, journalist Nils Funcke
Freedom of Expression and Privacy Expert, journalist Nils Funcke
Photo: TT
The Prime Minister does not want to answer
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), who is the head of the government office, does not want to be interviewed about the new criticism. He has previously said in Sweden’s Radio Ekot that he has full confidence in the security department.
– I have not had any reason to doubt the integrity and ability and competence there. Now a preliminary investigation has aroused and it must have its way, Kristersson told Ekot last Friday.
Questions about handling and friendship
At the beginning of the week, Landerholm was discontinued as a national security adviser. The reason is that he stored confidential documents in a way that is now being investigated by the police as possible negligence with secret task. The question is also raised as to whether Landerholm’s friendship with the prime minister may have affected why the case was not reported to the police before.
Nils Funcke believes that the Ombudsman, Prosecutor and the Constitutional Committee should now review the case. He wants to see that the Government Offices openly report his handling.
– Maybe there is a good explanation that we have not found out. So far, it is the most dimension where Kristersson has distanced away from all over the handling. Here, as well as clearly, you need to clearly and clearly why you have done certain things and why you have failed to do others.
Referring to ongoing preliminary investigation
This is how the Government Offices respond to a written comment on the Sunday after Nils Funcke’s criticism:
“The prime minister received information after the official organization made its assessment of the incident.
The incident linked to the courtyard Gällöfsta was investigated and handled by the Government Offices’ security department. The overall assessment was that what happened did not need to be reported to the police.
The prime minister has not been involved in this.
When it comes to the question of why the injury assessment was not diaryed, only public documents are presented. Initially, the security department made the assessment that it was not a public document and it was therefore not recorded. When the media asked to take part in the document, the assessment was made that it would be disclosed and thus it also became general.
Unfortunately, the document was not directed in direct connection with the disclosure, which should have taken place. Due to confidentiality, we cannot go into any details. We refer to ongoing preliminary investigation that may now have its way.
Regarding the incident with the mobile phone, this was also investigated by the security department and the incident was judged to be of little nature. Otherwise, we do not comment on issues related to security work. “