Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs requested conflict-of-interest assessment

News story | Date: 31/08/2023 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In August 2023, Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt was made aware of new information regarding shares in Norwegian listed companies that her husband has purchased and sold since her appointment as Foreign Minister.

Bilde av utenriksminister Anniken Huitfeldt som holder pressekonferanse fra talerstol med publikum — Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt held a press conference on Wednesday regarding a conflict of interest in connection with the purchase and sale of shares by her husband. Credit: UD

On the basis of new information and at the request of the Foreign Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the Ministry of Justice and Public Security’s Legislation Department to carry out an assessment of the matter.

‘The response from the Legislation Department indicates that I should have dealt with potential conflict-of-interest issues differently. When I took office, I should have asked my husband what shares he owned and to keep me informed of any shares he bought and sold subsequently. I would then have had the opportunity to assess whether there was a conflict of interest for me,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the reply from the Legislation Department on 28 August. The letter from the Legislation Departments states:

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has not fulfilled her duty under the rules on impartiality to obtain information about her husband's financial activities. As head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a member of the Government, her husband's ownership interests could easily create a conflict of interest. She should have done more to prevent herself from ending up in this situation.
Based on the response from the Legislation Department, there are grounds to believe that there has been a conflict of interest for the Foreign Minister in several matters. For this reason, the Foreign Minister has stated that since becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, several matters have involved a conflict of interest for her.
However, the Legislation Department has found that because the Foreign Minister had no knowledge of her husband's shares, decisions she has taken, both in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the Government, remain valid.

‘The Legislation Department has found that because I had no knowledge of the shares my husband owned, his financial activities and my potential lack of impartiality could not have influenced my decisions. Even though there may have been a conflict of interest, this has not affected the validity of decisions I have taken or been involved in taking,’ said the Foreign Minister.

On 22 August, on the advice of the Ministry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs asked her husband to sell all the listed shares, which he did the same day. Information about companies in which her husband owned shares has been made public.

‘My priority now is to ensure full transparency and rectify this situation. I deeply regret the mistake I have made. And I take full responsibility,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.

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