Jón Gunnarsson denies allegations of seeking whaling permits for friends in Iceland

Jón Gunnarsson has asserted that his entry into the ministry was based solely on his expertise, dismissing all recent allegations against him. He stated that Bjarni Benediktsson, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, has a multitude of responsibilities, and he was brought into the ministry due to his extensive knowledge of its various matters.

The controversy revolves around clandestine recordings in which it is claimed he attempted to secure whaling permits for close friends, particularly for Kristján Loftsson, CEO of Hvalur hf. Jón’s son, Gunnar Bergmann, reportedly made these statements during an interaction with an agent of the notorious Israeli intelligence-affiliated company, Black Cube, which has now been assigned to gather information regarding Jón and Icelandic whaling.

Jón has categorical denied these assertions, emphasizing his inability to guarantee permits to anyone, stating, “I cannot ensure anyone’s rights in this matter; it’s beyond my authority.” He further pointed out that although he has publicly supported whaling for 30 years, he has never been involved in the decision-making process regarding permits.

The surveillance activities of Black Cube have gained notoriety since their involvement in high-profile cases, particularly for their use of deception and creating false businesses to obtain information. Jón expressed his surprise and disappointment over his family being drawn into this matter, reflecting on the personal toll it has taken, despite his efforts to shield them from the political sphere. He does not anticipate this issue to result in any significant changes to his circumstances.