– I was informed that Sandra Borch wanted to resign as minister yesterday afternoon when I was traveling in Indre Troms with the Armed Forces. It was a sad message to receive, but it was the right decision, and it was taken immediately, says Støre. He says the goal is for his government to have a new minister in place in the Ministry of Education early next week. The starting point is that the Center Party will also get the new minister. Research and Higher Education Minister Sandra Borch (Sp) resigned on Friday after revelations about plagiarism in her master’s thesis. She said that she had informed the Prime Minister the same day. – It is the case that it must always be the individual who informs about matters, in the present or past, which may be problematic for them as ministers. This is information that did not come up in conversations before Sandra Borch became a minister, says Støre. – Conscientious and hard-working minister On Friday evening, Borch said that she does not have the full overview of what could be plagiarism. – When I wrote my master’s thesis around ten years ago, I made a big mistake. I took text from other assignments without stating sources. I am very sorry for that, said Sandra Borch. 8 PM FRIDAY: Sandra Borch (Sp) said that she is stepping down as minister. Photo: Rodrigo Freitas / NTB Støre says Borch has done an important job in his government. She came in as Minister of Agriculture and Food in October 2021, and she took on the job of Minister of Research and Higher Education in August 2023. – I have appreciated Sandra in government. She has been well liked by her colleagues, and we have always met a conscientious and hard-working minister. She has done a solid job in both ministries. Therefore, I am sorry that this has happened, but it is a right one and it was her decision, says Støre. – If she had been in another post, could this have gone well? – It is hypothetical. But she drew the conclusion that a mistake had been made here, which was of such a nature that she could not have that confidence. So we had to deal with the situation as it was. That is why I have said that it was right that she drew this conclusion herself, says Støre. The Prime Minister says Borch was very clear that what she has done was wrong. – Incompatible with being minister – Sandra Borch has made mistakes, mistakes which are incompatible with being minister of research and higher education. She asked to step down, and that is right, says Støre. Støre said yesterday that he understands how Borch thinks this case makes it difficult for her to have the necessary trust as minister for higher education. E24 was the first media house to mention the case. Has asked ministers to review their theses Jonas Gahr Støre says it is natural that attention is drawn to other ministers’ exam and master’s theses. He will not take the initiative for a systematic review, but expects to be notified if there are conditions he should know about. – I have to assume that what is stated in CVs and assignments corresponds to reality. We must base ourselves on trust and that what they say they have delivered and the grades they have received are true, says Støre. CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this article, Borch was referred to as Minister of Knowledge. The right thing should be the Minister of Research and Higher Education.
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– A sad message to receive – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
