Aftonbladet confronted him earlier
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Sven Otto Littorin.
Photo: Wikipedia |
Aftonbladet wrote earlier that Sven Otto Littorin resigned as minister after they had confronted him about an alleged crime. Now, the newspaper writes that the alleged crime is purchase of sex.
A 30 year old woman has said to Aftonbladet that she has sold sexual services to Littorin. They met during the late summer or autumn 2006 according to the woman.
Aftonbladet has seen her register of customers stored in her computer. One of the numbers goes to a pre-school, but three years ago Littorin had this number. The woman says to Aftonbladet that she does not want to report Littorin to the police.
Reinfeldt: Littorin denies the accusations
Sven Otto Littorin has refused to answer to the accusations and has avoided media since the question came up. But today, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt arranged a press conference where he commented on the issue.
Reinfeldt said, according to Sveriges Television, that Sven Otto Littorin called him on Tuesday and said that Aftonbladet had confonted him with accusations that are not true. Littorin also told Reinfeldt what the accusations are.
Reinfeldt said on the press conference that he must believe what Littorin has told him. Reinfeldt was asked on the press conference why he did not say earlier what they accusations are. He then answered that he did not want to contribute to spreading rumours.
Prime Minister Reinfeldt immediately accepted Littorin's letter of resignation.
Aftonbladet has known for a long time
It is now clear that Aftonbladet has had access to much of this information for a long time. The reason for waiting to publish is according to Lena Mellin (appointed temporary legally responsible publisher) that they wanted to give Littorin a chance to comment on the accusation of purchase of sex.
- I think enough time has gone now. He has had the chance to say that this is not true, and he hasn't. Then I think it is OK to publish, Lena Mellin says to TT.
Update: Through his lawyer, Birgitta Hållenius, Sven-Otto Littorin denies all allegations that was published in Aftonbladet today. Hållenius says that for the time being, Littorin does not want to give any further comments.
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Sven Otto was one of the key persons in shaping the "New Moderates" which led the centre-right alliance to election victory in 2006. After the elections he became Minister for Employment.