Already in May, Expressen told that Sweden’s commander-in-chief Micael Bydén would divorce his then-wife, and in June Expressen also revealed that his new love was the head of intelligence at Noa, Linda Staaf. She later confirmed the relationship to Dagens Nyheter on November 12.
Labor law expert Tommy Iseskog has, in reference to Linda Staaf’s previous relationship with Deputy National Police Chief Mats Löfving, stated that a secret relationship can constitute a security risk because it can be used by, for example, a foreign power for extortion.
– A hidden relationship is the classic example of a vulnerability that can be exploited by, for example, a foreign power. It must always cause a new security assessment.
“Some routine measures were carried out”
According to SVT’s sources, for a long time there was a rumor about Micael Bydén’s relationship with Linda Staaf, but according to the Swedish Armed Forces’ press department, a security check was carried out when the relationship began.
– All employees who have a special position are security tested on an ongoing basis. Changes in the private situation are something that must be addressed in the subsequent security assessment, which has happened in this case. The military security service was informed early on about the relationship in accordance with routine and certain routine measures were also carried out, says press secretary Guna Graufelds.
However, she does not want to say what measures were taken, or even when the security check was done, but states that in any case it took place significantly earlier than in November.