Severe criticism of the Governor of Stockholm County for her behaviour in three recruitment cases which led to a failure to respect the Instrument of Government’s requirements of objectivity and impartiality

Summary of the decision: On its own initiative, the Parliamentary Ombudsman reviewed the County Administrative Board’s processing of three recruitment cases which concerned a head of planning, an organisational developer and a head of department. The review was based on the requirements of objectivity and impartiality laid down in the Instrument of Government, as well as the provisions on conflict of interest in the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman concludes that, in all three cases, the County Governor acted in a way that did not respect the requirement of objectivity. In addition, she had a conflict of interest in the case concerning the head of planning. There, the procedure was also flawed in terms of impartiality. According to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, this indicates a lack of concern and a lack of respect for fundamental provisions which aim to maintain public trust in public services. The Parliamentary Ombudsman directs severe criticism against the County Governor for her actions.

Further, the Parliamentary Ombudsman criticises the County Administrative Board as an authority, because the recruitment of the head of planning was only announced on the authority’s physical notice board and for a very limited amount of time, and because the Swedish Public Employment Service was not notified of the recruitment.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman also makes statements on the importance of officials acting with integrity and highlights the risk of non-compliance with the provisions of the constitution, including when it is the head of the authority who does not comply with the rules.