Iceland’s Minister for Children Resigns Over Admission of Past Relationship with Teenage Boy
Asthildur Laa Thorsdottir, Iceland’s Minister for Children, has stepped down after revealing that she had a child with a teenager over 30 years ago. In a recent media interview, Thorsdottir disclosed that she began a relationship with the boy when he was just 15 years old while she was 22. She gave birth to their child when he was 16 and she was 23.
Reflecting on the past, the 58-year-old minister stated, “It’s been 36 years, and a lot can change in that time. I would definitely have handled these issues differently today.”
Iceland’s Prime Minister, Kristrun Frostadottir, addressed the situation, calling it “a serious matter.” However, she noted that she had limited information at the time of the incident, according to reports from the BBC. The Prime Minister revealed that she only learned of the story late Thursday night and immediately summoned Thorsdottir to her office, where the minister resigned.
Frostadottir mentioned that upon discovering the affair with a government minister, the woman involved sought more information, which ultimately led to the revelation and Thorsdottir’s resignation.
Under Icelandic law, sexual relations between teachers and minors who are financially dependent on them are prohibited. Although Thorsdottir has resigned from her ministerial role, she has indicated that she plans to remain in her position as a member of parliament.
