Deputy leader takes leave.
Olaf Thommessen is finished as deputy leader of the Liberal Party after media reports that he has used funds from his mother's memorial fund to pay back taxes.
Olaf Thommessen, left and the Liberal Party leader Lars Sponheim,at a party congress earlier this year. Photo: Heiko Junge.
Thommessen made the decision after consulting party leader Lars Sponheim and secretary general Terje Breivik on Thursday night. "Both Lars Sponheim and Liberal Party secretary general Terje Breivik consider this a wise decision in view of the situation that has occurred," Liberal Party information chief Steinar Haugsvær told Aftenposten.no, and emphasized that it was Thommessen's personal decision to take leave. Thommessen, 41, has had a rough life in the media spotlight recently, having suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that led to a breakup with supermodel Vendela Kirsebom after 11 years of marriage. He also had clashes with Sponheim, who has appeared uneasy about the popularity of the man many see as his unquestioned heir to party power. Thommessen has kept a low party profile and refused to challenge Sponheim for leadership. Now Thommessen risks embezzlement charges after admitting borrowing NOK 73,557 (USD 13,650) of his mother's fund to pay back taxes and other private bills. Internal e-mails from the fund's board revealed the wayward funds and Thommessen admitted to newspaper VG that he had borrowed over NOK 100,000 from the fund over the past three years. "Because of the dimensions this matter has taken in the media, I will seek a leave of absence as deputy leader of the Liberal Party. In coming days I will compose an open letter to the (Foundation) Inspectorate which both the media and others will have access to," Thommessen told VG. Thommessen said that he had decided to drop his leadership duties out of a desire not to harm the Liberal Party. He will continue his duties as a city council representative for Oslo. On Friday evening Thommessen announced that he was not standing for re-election as deputy party leader and resigning as head of the Annette Thommessen Memorial Fund.
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