Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will meet the press on Friday evening after Ola Borten Moe (Sp) announced that he is stepping down as minister of research and higher education, as well as deputy leader of the Center Party. He did so after it became known earlier today that he has broken the government’s ethics rules. – Serious mistakes Støre begins the press conference by saying that he was briefed on the situation on Wednesday. – Ola has asked to resign because he has broken the integrity regulations and the government’s guidelines for stock trading on due diligence. There are serious mistakes, and Ola has acknowledged that, he says. Jonas Gahr Støre tells about the conversations that led to Borten Moe’s departure. Furthermore, the prime minister emphasizes that the consequences for this case are not compatible with him being able to continue as a minister. – The government has ongoing work on the subject of competence. It must be the individual’s responsibility to make those assessments. But if you are unsure, it is very easy to ask for help, says Støre. – Correct and wise decision He elaborates: – I expect the ministers to read the handbook, familiarize themselves with the rules that apply there. If it is demanding, you can go to the Ministry of Justice. – It has been a correct and wise decision, says Finance Minister and SP leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum at the press conference. Borten Moe has bought shares in Kongsberg Gruppen, and has thus broken the ethics regulations. At the press conference this afternoon, he said that he thought this was fine, but that in retrospect he sees that it was completely wrong. – It was a terrible misjudgment for obvious reasons, he said. It was E24 that first mentioned the competence case. Turned around in consultation with Støre Borten Moe said earlier on Friday that he wanted to continue as a minister. During the press conference this afternoon, however, he said that he, together with Støre and Vedum, had come to the conclusion to resign. Research and Higher Education Minister Ola Borten Moe is stepping down as a minister on Thursday, after admitting a breach of trust. When asked by NTB about what had happened in the hours leading up to Borten Moe’s announcement that he was resigning, Støre replied: – Since Wednesday, there has been work to get an overview of the case. I have followed the work from my office, and had a dialogue with Trygve. When we had the conversation with Ola, there was a clear, shared opinion that where we were, it was right for him to resign. I weighted my assessment of the case against the trust issue. It was something we came to in agreement. Furthermore, Støre emphasizes that he believes Borten Moe’s explanation that he thought the share purchases were fine. – The cases are three different cases. They have been thoroughly informed, and conclusions have been drawn from them, which I believe are correct, Støre replies to questions from news and that there have been several cases that go to trial recently. Important decision – It can be difficult to make the trade-off about competence then and there. But if you have come to the point that you are incompetent, it is not difficult. Because then there are things you should and shouldn’t do. People can make mistakes, so we have to assess the mistakes and what consequences they have, continues Støre. – But is it good enough if people wonder if these ministers are capable and if that can lead to doubts about that? – No, but that is why I think it is important in such a case, even if it hurts, to come to the conclusion that a capable minister like Trettebergstuen and Borten Moe, given this, that that conclusion must also be able to be drawn. In conclusion, Støre says that he is not aware of several ministers who have made misjudgments related to their competence, apart from the three cases with Borten Moe, Trettebergstuen and Brenna, which have been widely discussed in the media recently. Borten Moe himself claims that he has had no inside information. He told the press that the intention all along was long-term savings. – The fact that we have come to that point, I deeply regret. I am extremely sorry for the situation I have put myself and the government in. I fully understand all the reactions that have come, the questions that are being asked, and that this is something that is attracting a lot of attention in Norway, said Borten Moe. According to sources for news, Borten Moe will formally remain as minister until August. Anne Beate Tvinnereim is deputy leader of the Center Party until the next national meeting, informs Vedum.
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– Expects the ministers to read the handbook – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
