Svandís supports Guðmundur Ingi amid controversy over Yazan Tamimi’s deportation

Svandís Svavarsdóttir, the Minister of Infrastructure and chair of the Left-Green Movement (VG), expressed her support for Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, the Minister of Social Affairs, emphasizing the importance of being humane alongside governance. This statement comes in the wake of a controversial phone call between Guðmundur Ingi and Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir, the Chief of Police, on the night of Yazan Tamimi’s intended deportation with his family.

Svandís clarified that while Guðmundur Ingi oversees issues related to people with disabilities, he is entitled to voice his concerns on such matters. Although he was abroad and unavailable for comments, the situation has drawn criticism for the absence of communication between him and the Minister of Justice, the highest authority over the police.

“He reached out to the Prime Minister, the head of the government, and I fully support Guðmundur Ingi in that,” Svandís stated. However, Minister of Finance Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson disagreed, suggesting it would have been more appropriate for the social affairs minister to contact the Minister of Justice.

Svandís defended the late-night call, insisting it was a unique circumstance and not indicative of a precedent for interference in police operations. She emphasized that the situation revolved around making the right decision at that particular time. When questioned if she believed his actions were appropriate, she reiterated, “It was about doing what was right.”