Danish minister defends rehiring advisor fired over harassment claims

Danish politician Pia Olsen Dyhr has defended her decision to re-employ Thomas Nystrøm as a special advisor in the Ministry of Economy and Interior, despite his previous dismissal from the SF party in 2020 due to harassment allegations. Nystrøm had previously advised Dyhr until his termination.

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Thomas Nystrøm has been a member of our party and therefore also a volunteer and thus also through our bureau has come up with various suggestions for us.

Dyhr addressed the controversy following her party leader's speech at the Folkemødet, stating that Nystrøm has continued to contribute to SF's policy development as a volunteer since his firing. When questioned about her collaboration with him over the past six years, she affirmed that, like other SF members, he is permitted to contribute to the party's policy evolution.

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I have had a collaboration - just as I have with other members of SF. They are allowed to contribute to SF's policy development.

"He has apologized and changed his behavior. So, one must also have the opportunity to get another job," Dyhr stated, defending the rehiring. She emphasized that SF needs the best advisors on its team to remain strong, particularly with aspirations of being part of a government.

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Now it is six years later. The person has apologized and changed his behavior. So, one must also have the opportunity to get another job.

The decision has drawn criticism, notably from SF councilor Lotte Kofoed of Frederiksberg. Kofoed, who publicly accused Nystrøm of sexual harassment in 2020, attended Dyhr's speech holding a sign that read "Never again in SF." Kofoed criticized Dyhr's choice to re-employ Nystrøm. Dyhr stated she did not see Kofoed's sign and had not spoken with her on Friday.

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Therefore, it requires that we have the best advisors with us on the team.