Sweden’s National Security Adviser Resigns After Photos Emerge

Sweden’s newly appointed national security adviser, Tobias Thyberg, resigned on May 9, just hours after taking office, following the emergence of old photos of a “sensitive nature” from his past, as per The Straits Times.

The resignation has raised questions about the country’s security clearance procedures, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledging a “systemic failure” in the vetting process.

Thyberg, a 49-year-old diplomat with a distinguished 24-year career, including roles as Sweden’s ambassador to Ukraine and Afghanistan, was appointed to the position on May 8. However, less than 12 hours later, he stepped down after being confronted by Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN) with images from his past, which had surfaced from a dating app.

“These are old photos from an account I used to have on Grindr,” Thyberg told DN. “I should have informed the government about this, but I didn’t. I have therefore decided not to take up the position as national security adviser.”

Although DN did not disclose the exact content of the photos, tabloid Expressen reported that they were of a “sexual nature.” The photos are believed to have existed for some time and raised concerns regarding potential security risks.

Prime Minister Kristersson, speaking to reporters in Oslo, called the situation “serious” and expressed regret over the oversight in security checks. Thyberg, who had held various positions with access to classified information, had not disclosed the existence of the photos during his security clearance process.

Intelligence expert Johan Holmlund, from the Swedish Defence University, suggested that the photos could have already been obtained by foreign intelligence agencies, which might use them for blackmail purposes. “I wouldn’t be surprised if other countries’ intelligence agencies already had this information,” he told DN, citing potential interest from nations such as the United States, Russia, and China.

The resignation comes amid a series of security-related controversies in Sweden. Thyberg’s predecessor, Henrik Landerholm, resigned in January after classified documents were discovered in a hotel conference center. Landerholm has since been charged with “carelessness with secret information” after leaving the documents in an unlocked locker, with reports suggesting links to individuals with ties to violent extremist circles.