The minister whose close relative has been revealed to have ties to the far-right is now speaking out about the situation on TV4's Nyhetsmorgon.
I have a deeply regretful 15-year-old, who has just turned 16. We have spent a lot of time on long, difficult conversations. It has not been easy, but this activity is over, says Johan Forssell.
Forssell says that he does not intend to resign, but that he will remain as Minister for Migration in the government.
I will continue to take responsibility. As a father for my children and I am fully focused on implementing the policy that we have received support from the Swedish people for. I think it is very important that this work continues.
Parental responsibility
Forssell tells that he was contacted by Säpo a couple of weeks ago.
I knew nothing when Expo got in touch, says Forssell to the TV channel.
The son is said to have, according to Expo, which has gone through chats and posts on social media, tried to recruit people to a white power organization and participated in activities with the Nazi and violent Aktivklubb Sverige.
Johan Forssell has, as Minister for Migration in the debate about young people's violence in society, emphasized parents' responsibility. He is asked on TV4 how he views his parental responsibility for what has happened.
I do not think that parental responsibility has become less important because of this, on the contrary. I am completely convinced that it is a cornerstone of a good society. Then, of course, parental responsibility does not mean that it always turns out right. Sometimes it goes wrong.
Johan Forssell is asked if he is self-critical when it comes to his own parenting.
Of course, I wish it had not been this situation. I think all parents who have children and understand the situation we are in now also realize.
Not seen anything
Expo states that they have examined Johan Forssell's son for a longer period and followed his posts on social media. The minister follows his son on social media, but says that he has not seen any of the far-right posts. In a post on Instagram, Forssell writes that his son's association with "completely wrong circles" started last year, when the son began ninth grade. The activities are said to have taken place mainly in various social media.
I want to be clear that I have not seen anything of this on social media. Then I would have reacted, of course. But I have not done that, he says to TV4.
Johan Forssell is asked if he is grateful for Expo's scrutiny, so that he got this information about his son.
Yes, I think it is important that these environments are scrutinized. I think they are bigger than many understand. These problems must not grow bigger. My main focus is to take care of the situation at home with my child.
But I also think that there will be a very big discussion about this. How many parents are aware of this and what we are dealing with? I think that is very important.
Speculations
Forssell is also asked why he is coming forward now, a week after the information in Expo was published.
There have been a lot of speculations. And it is, of course, not a desirable situation. All of this, everything that pours in over one... Honestly, a minor gets their personal data hung out on social media by extremists with very detailed, very threatening information.
In that situation, you do not have much choice but to try to be as transparent as possible. But of course, it is not easy when it comes to not just me as a politician, but also my family and my children.
The Left Party has called Forssell to the Social Insurance Committee in the Riksdag to "put the cards on the table" regarding his and the government's handling of the matter, something that the Social Democrats and the Green party are behind.
I know that there are other parties that want to score different political points on this. If they want to do that, they can do it. But for me, this is primarily a task for me as a father. That's how I see it. It has guided me in everything.
