What witnesses describe as “rough lining” after the summer party at the Ministry of Local Government, has over the past year put the relationship between the civil service and the Minister of Local Government to the test.
– I showed poor role understanding and judgement. I have also been clear about that to the Prime Minister, says Municipal Minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik to NRK.
The evening, which began with the summer party at Det Norske Teatret and moved on to Eilef’s Landhandleri, finally ended at the London pub. It was after the summer party – when they went further into town – that the kissing episode took place.
Gjelsvik describes his own behavior as “embarrassing and embarrassing” and “not in line with the ideals I try to live by”.
The woman tells NRK that she found the situation to be unproblematic, and that she has felt well taken care of by the ministry.
Other sources in the ministry say that the “delicate nature” of the case has affected the working environment.
The summer party at Det Norske Teatret was Sigbjørn Gjelsvik’s first meeting with several employees in the ministry
– The woman is employed by the ministry and I should therefore not have acted like that. I should have been more aware of my role as minister and head of ministry, says Sigbjørn Gjelsvik.
The evening, which began at Det Norske Teatret and moved on to Eilifs Landhandleri, ended at the London pub.
– The way I behaved is not right, says Sigbjørn Gjelsvik. He refers to his own performance as “embarrassing and embarrassing”.
Gjelsvik briefed Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Center party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum about the episode shortly after the summer party, which was held on 18 August last year.
Støre has confidence
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre tells NRK that he has had “thorough conversations” with the municipal minister about what happened, and that he has worked hard to get all the facts on the table.
– What Sigbjørn Gjelsvik has done is not acceptable. In this matter, he has shown poor judgment and understanding of his role as minister and head of ministry, he says.
– You have known about the matter for over a year, why do you still trust Gjelsvik?
– What was important then was to get a full overview of what had happened. Gjelsvik apologized for his behaviour, I have made it clear that this is not how a head of ministry can act towards employees in the ministry, says Støre and continues:
– And then it was important for me to clarify the woman’s situation, and that she has then explained to the ministry that she is well looked after, and she has also said that she did not find the situation unpleasant. With that basis, and with his clear understanding that that kind of thing won’t work, I have confidence in him.
– Is it okay for a minister in your government to flirt with an employee at work?
– It is not right, and I have made that absolutely clear.
It started with this invitation. The summer party at Det Norske Teatret on 18 August was for the ministry’s employees, and the band The Powerpointers was on the bill.
Photo: Screenshot
NRK has asked the local government minister for a comment since Wednesday last week, but only received an answer after the election.
– Why are you waiting until after the election to answer?
– I answer the questions I am asked. I am concerned that this is an incident that should not have happened and that…
– But why are you waiting until after the election to answer?
– I am keen to answer questions about what happened at the summer party, and that this should not have happened.
– Was it important for you to wait until after the election to answer?
– I answer questions related to the case. I am concerned that this is an incident that should not have happened.
– The management in the ministry has had several conversations
The government writes on its own websites that “it is important to have a good relationship of trust between political leadership and the civil service.”
Ministerial Councilor Petter Skarheim confirms that the incident has been a topic of discussion among the employees, and that it has been raised with the management by union representatives and safety representatives.
– There has been a good dialogue about the matter afterwards. The management in the ministry has had several conversations and a good dialogue with the woman afterwards. She is clear that she feels well looked after by the ministry, and that she did not experience the situation as unpleasant.
The Augustfest was Sigbjørn Gjelsvik’s first meeting with several employees in the ministry, after he replaced Odd Roger Enoksen in the government college ahead of the summer holidays.
Enoksen had to resign when it became known that he had been a “sexual mentor” to a younger woman.
Gjelsvik was the only politician at the party, and is said to have greeted in the opening speech by saying that in return he would “drink for six people”.
– It was flat when he said it, and even more idiotic afterwards, says one of the party participants with whom NRK has been in contact.
NRK has asked Gjelsvik if he acknowledges the statement.
– What was said (in the opening speech) I cannot reproduce here and now, he replies.
NRK has asked the local government minister for a comment since Wednesday last week, but only received an answer after the election.
Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / NRK
– Unsettled questions are still a topic
On the first Monday after the party (August 22, 2022), Gjelsvik was summoned to a meeting with the ministerial council in the Ministry of Local Government and Districts.
The content of the conversation is known only to these two, but in an extended meeting three days later, several people in the ministry were informed that the minister was sorry for what had happened.
The employees in the ministry were also assured that the incident had been communicated to the top and that the Prime Minister’s office would deal with the matter if it became known outside the ministry’s corridors.
But it was not outside the ministry’s corridors that the “summer party case” became a problem.
Instead it was within the walls that the case would create noise and wear and tear.
– Unresolved questions about both the incident and the handling are still a topic, says one of the employees to NRK.
The Prime Minister’s office has been aware of the “summer party case” of Local Government Minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik for a year. Now it cracks.
Photo: NTB
2023-09-14 16:05:00
#Minister #lies #flat #kissing #employee #party #Embarrassing #embarrassing
