The Parliamentary Speakers’ Committee has released a statement declaring its members are disqualified from handling the Klaustur scandal, RÚV reports. The declaration could affect Parliament’s investigation of the matter, which the Speaker’s Committee had referred to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee.
The Speakers’ Committee had convened the Ethics Committee to investigate the now-infamous case, which concerns the behaviour of six MPs who were recorded uttering sexist, ableist, and homophobic remarks about their colleagues at a Reykjavík bar. As a result of the Speakers’ declaration that their committee members are unfit to handle the matter, however, the Parliamentary Ethics Committee cannot proceed with their investigation.
For the time being, the Office of Parliament is continuing to collect data on the case for the Parliamentary Ethics Committee. Secretary General of Parliament Helgi Bernódusson says the statement does not necessarily mean the investigation will be delayed.
