Minister says Gnarr exit reflects communication problems

Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir says Jón Gnarr’s departure from Viðreisn’s parliamentary group points to problems in communication, but she does not recognise his account of strained relations between her and party leader Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. The comments were reported by mbl.is.

Gnarr, now an independent MP, said on the Spursmál programme that he had experienced tension between the two ministers. Gunnlaugsdóttir said she could not speak to the source of his remarks or to rumours within the Independence Party, but said the four Viðreisn ministers in the government worked well together and were achieving good results.

She said she was pleased with progress across different policy areas at the Ministry of Justice and had open communication with all Viðreisn ministers, including Þorgerður Katrín.

Gunnlaugsdóttir said she did not consider her relationship with Þorgerður Katrín strained. They had known each other for years and had worked together successfully, she said, while acknowledging that they sometimes disagreed, as people in politics do.

She said the party should now consider how its members could work together better, adding that the leadership intended to examine Gnarr’s remarks and listen to what he had said.

Gnarr has also described communication and management practices within the parliamentary group as unhealthy and the atmosphere as sour. Gunnlaugsdóttir said she did not share that view, but noted that disagreements over ideas and approaches were part of politics. A member leaving the group, she said, reflected some kind of problem in communication.