Kristersson backs Gellerbrant’s leave after security review

Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson considers Gustav Gellerbrant’s decision to hand in his access card and computer and take parental leave a good solution, following a new security review by the Government Offices.

Gellerbrant, head of the Sweden Democrats’ coordination office in the Government Offices, is the partner of a woman employed by the party who works as a parliamentary official. Expo reported this week that she had for a long time spread pro-Russian messages and taken part in cultural activities linked to Russian state interests.

In a social media post on Sunday, Gellerbrant criticised the report as based on “isolated statements”. He said he had handed in his access card and computer and taken parental leave to focus on his family.

Asked whether the government had requested that he surrender the equipment, Kristersson said the matter ultimately concerned the Sweden Democrats.

“My responsibility is to ensure that all security reviews in the Government Offices work. All personnel working in the Government Offices undergo security screening, and it is carried out continuously when new information emerges,” Kristersson told SVT.

The Government Offices conducted a new security review after the reports about Gellerbrant’s partner.