The share case part of the rationale – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country

– The matters concerning the purchase and sale of shares and competence are part of the justification. I believe Anniken’s presentation of this case. At the same time, we agree that the matter is serious, and it is now with the Control and Constitution Committee, says Støre. – Trust is something we must take care of and be responsible for. I do that today. Anniken Huitfeldt was the most experienced minister in Støre’s government. However, it stormed around her when it became known in August that her husband Ola Petter Flem has carried out around 100 share transactions in around 40 companies since she was appointed as foreign minister. Among the companies were the Kongsberg Group, the airline Norwegian and several salmon companies. – I was not aware that he traded shares in the way he did, said Huitfeldt. She said that this was a deliberate action on the part of her husband, precisely to avoid insider trading. – But I ended up with a very large disqualification problem on the other side, said Huitfeldt, and justified it by the fact that she therefore did not get to assess her own disqualification. At the same time, she was clear that she had not shared “important information” with her husband. Økokrim decided not to open an investigation into Anniken Huitfeldt, but she must attend a hearing in the Storting’s Control and Constitution Committee. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said at the time that Huitfeldt had made mistakes related to competence, that she had been incompetent except in matters in the government and in her own ministry without knowing it herself. But he then concluded that he still had confidence in her. – She says that her husband has not told her about the share deals since she took office. I believe what Anniken says. She has apologized for the mistake she made. Based on the information that has come to light, I have confidence in Anniken as minister, Støre said then. Jonas Gahr Støre and Anniken Huitfeldt participated together during the opening of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York last month. Photo: Pontus Höök / NTB



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