Säpo spent millions on 'James Bond' party
Swedish security service Säpo has come under fire after revelations that a James Bond themed party in 2011 cost 5.3 million kronor ($802,500), a contract that was never put out to tender.
The party, which took place in June 2011, had a guest list of around 1,000 people and cost over 5 million kronor. The contract for the event was never put out to tender, revealed the Dagens Nyheter newspaper (DN) on Monday.
Furthermore, Säpo erroneously asked for almost one million kronor back in value added tax (moms), a claim that the Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen) noticed in February, demanding that the security service repaid 114,500 kronor in compensation.
The head of Säpo since July this year, Anders Thornberg, explained to the paper that the James Bond party was an exception - a relief for staff members after the pressure from 2011’s terror threats, suicide bombing and a company reorganization.
“This was a unique and extraordinary time and we’d been subjected to extreme pressure. We thought that we needed a special gathering for the whole security police team,” he told the paper.
The party was organized by former Säpo head Anders Danielsson, who is now the Director General of the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket).
“I take responsibility for everything, if it’s wrong then it is wrong, and it will be sorted out in due course," he told DN.
Justice Minister Beatrice Ask has not yet commented on the revelations , but said that a spokesperson will make a statement later on Monday morning.
TT/The Local/og
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The party, which took place in June 2011, had a guest list of around 1,000 people and cost over 5 million kronor. The contract for the event was never put out to tender, revealed the Dagens Nyheter newspaper (DN) on Monday.
Furthermore, Säpo erroneously asked for almost one million kronor back in value added tax (moms), a claim that the Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen) noticed in February, demanding that the security service repaid 114,500 kronor in compensation.
The head of Säpo since July this year, Anders Thornberg, explained to the paper that the James Bond party was an exception - a relief for staff members after the pressure from 2011’s terror threats, suicide bombing and a company reorganization.
“This was a unique and extraordinary time and we’d been subjected to extreme pressure. We thought that we needed a special gathering for the whole security police team,” he told the paper.
The party was organized by former Säpo head Anders Danielsson, who is now the Director General of the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket).
“I take responsibility for everything, if it’s wrong then it is wrong, and it will be sorted out in due course," he told DN.
Justice Minister Beatrice Ask has not yet commented on the revelations , but said that a spokesperson will make a statement later on Monday morning.
TT/The Local/og
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