The Prime Minister’s Office denies influencing the firing of a consultant. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied any involvement in the dismissal of a partner from the consulting firm Rud Petersen following statements about the Social Democratic Party. This comes after the Danish Ombudsman launched an investigation into the Prime Minister’s Office’s refusal to provide access to SMS correspondence between one of Mette Frederiksen’s special advisors and the consulting firm.
In a statement to Ekstra Bladet, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that the advisor in question has informed that the accusations of demands for sanctions against the employee are baseless. The case began with an article in Jyllands-Posten where Sune Steffen Hansen, a partner in Rud Petersen, expressed his views on the current situation and challenges of the Social Democratic Party. Shortly thereafter, Hansen was fired.
Several media outlets have reported that one of Mette Frederiksen’s advisors sent an SMS to the consulting firm prior to the firing. The Prime Minister’s Office has refused to disclose this SMS in connection with a request for access to information, which has led to the Ombudsman now investigating the matter. According to experts, there may be doubt about the legality of denying access to the SMS.
The Prime Minister’s Office emphasizes that it is not unusual for special advisors to occasionally communicate directly with various actors in Danish society. “In general, it is noted that it is natural for special advisors to have ongoing dialogue with actors in Danish society,” the Prime Minister’s Office further wrote to Ekstra Bladet.