Sweden's Top Diplomat Resigns Amid Security Investigation
Landerholm, a close associate of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, has faced scrutiny in recent months following a series of alarming incidents. His issues came to light with reports from DN newspaper, detailing how he left his notebook at the studios of the public radio broadcaster SR and his mobile phone at Hungary's embassy during crucial NATO discussions.
This troubling behavior escalated when Expressen revealed that prosecutors dealing with security cases were contemplating the classification of Landerholm's recent incident—leaving highly classified documents at a conference center in 2023—as a potential crime warranting a formal investigation.
In a statement on Monday, Landerholm confirmed that a preliminary investigation had indeed commenced regarding the documents left behind, noting, "I have been informed that a preliminary investigation has been opened into the incident of the documents left behind at a conference center. I have informed the prime minister of this, and we agree that I, under the circumstances, can no longer fulfill my duties."
He communicated his resignation through an email to the TT newswire, marking his exit from the high-profile position. The incident, which dates back almost two years, had been previously reported and investigated by the security department of government offices, which concluded that there was no further action required against him based on discussions alone. "Now we will have to see what conclusion the prosecutor will reach," he added.
In a written statement, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his support for Landerholm’s decision to resign, stating that it was appropriate given the current situation. He reiterated the importance of diligence and the need to avoid carelessness: "As I have said all along, it is important not to be careless and not to make mistakes. The legal process must now take its course."
The situation for Landerholm worsened earlier in January when Aftonbladet revealed he had sought refunds from the government office for travel receipts. He was found to have billed taxpayers for trips to visit his girlfriend in Berlin, claiming that these were actually work-related despite the government’s clarification that such trips did not qualify as official business.
In response to these allegations, Landerholm stated, "On a few occasions, I had booked work trips which either went via Berlin or finished in Berlin instead of in Stockholm, which I only later found out does not count as official work trips under government rules. In these cases, I've canceled the trip or asked for a salary reduction." In a transparency move, he also listed all relevant trips in a comment on the social platform X.
This string of events has not only led to Landerholm's high-profile resignation but has also raised questions about the accountability and transparency of public officials in Sweden, especially in sensitive diplomatic roles. The investigation's outcome could further impact the political landscape as authorities assess the implications of Landerholm's actions on national security.
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