The Moderates: Søren Gade's case is in the petty crimes division.

The case regarding Folketing's Speaker, Søren Gade (V), providing incorrect information to Folketing, is "entirely in the triviality department."

This is according to a member of the Committee on Procedures (UFO) Henrik Frandsen (M), after it was revealed on Tuesday that Søren Gade continues to be the board chairman for the company Tecleaf.

In December 2022, Søren Gade otherwise informed UFO that he had resigned from his position in Tecleaf.

- It is a company that is being wound up, and it is, in fact, an unpaid position. So it does not affect my position today, says Henrik Frandsen before a meeting in UFO on Wednesday at 11.

Member of UFO Ole Birk Olesen (LA) criticizes Søren Gade's actions.

- It is very criticizable that Søren Gade provided incorrect information about his duties alongside Folketing, when he was appointed as Speaker of Folketing in 2022. It is a breach of trust, says he in a written comment.

- In Liberal Alliance we do not necessarily think it is problematic that the Speaker of Folketing has work and duties alongside being Speaker of Folketing, but we want correct information about it, which is also required by the Election Law, says Ole Birk Olesen.

He comes with a call for Søren Gade to show greater openness towards the public.

At the meeting on Wednesday, Søren Gade's duties alongside his position as Speaker of Folketing will be debated.

He is accused by a member of UFO Peder Hvelplund (EL) of "smearing the office" as Speaker of Folketing, when new information comes to light about his dual role as board chairman.

- It does not strengthen the trust in his judgment, said Peder Hvelplund on Tuesday.

Tecleaf has not been active since 2022 and is being wound up, and according to Søren Gade, this is the reason he has retained his position as board chairman in the company.

For Peder Hvelplund it is forgiving that the company is not active. But it paints a critical picture of Søren Gade's work and judgment, he thinks.

The development is after longer periods of criticism of Søren Gade's role in another case. This concerns his role as a salaried board chairman for Esbjerg Port, while he is, of course, simultaneously Speaker of Folketing.

Here, Søren Gade has been criticized for the two roles potentially creating doubt about his ability.

Concretely, Esbjerg Port is in a potentially important time, where Denmark's large rearmament and shipbuilding could benefit the port.

In his defense, Søren Gade has repeatedly emphasized that he has previously had his dual role approved by the Committee on Procedures.

According to a member of UFO Helene Brydensholt (AL), the new information in the case regarding the Speaker's position in Tecleaf "makes the question of the Speaker's dual role even more serious."

- Alternative calls on the Speaker to resign from his position in Esbjerg Port. Alternatively, to resign as Speaker of Folketing, writes Helene Brydensholt in a written comment.

Alternative wants the Speaker of Folketing not to be able to hold other positions.

/ritzau/

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