Iceland’s Minister for Children and Education, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, has resigned after admitting to having a child with a teenager over 35 years ago, according to Icelandic media.
Thórsdóttir shared that she began a relationship with a 15-year-old boy when she was 22 and later had a son with him. The relationship began while she was working as a counselor for a religious group, and she gave birth to their child when she was 23, and he was 16.
In Iceland, the age of consent is 15, as outlined by the country’s penal code. However, it is illegal for adults to engage in sexual relations with individuals under 18 if they are in a position of trust, such as teaching them, with violators facing up to 12 years in prison.
The father of the child, who was 16 at the time, stated that he never viewed himself as a victim, explaining that he was going through a tough period in his life and sought support from the church group.
According to Iceland’s public broadcaster, the relationship was kept private, but the father was present for the birth of the child and initially had contact. However, most contact was cut off before the child turned one.
The young father was required to pay child support for 18 years. He sought assistance from the Ministry of Justice and the church’s family service to gain visitation rights, but Thórsdóttir denied him access to his child, according to Iceland’s public broadcaster.
Following the report on Thursday, Thórsdóttir resigned from her ministerial role but will continue to serve as a member of parliament for the People’s Party. Iceland’s Prime Minister confirmed that Thórsdóttir had met with the country’s three party leaders, but it was her decision to step down.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir stated at a press conference on Friday that they had discussed the matter in detail, and Thórsdóttir took full responsibility for her actions by resigning quickly. Frostadóttir emphasized that, while the situation was unfortunate, it didn’t affect their official duties. The Prime Minister’s office had not yet completed its investigation into the matter since it was brought to their attention a week ago.
Thórsdóttir has strongly denied allegations that she prevented the father from having contact with his son. Heimir Már Pétursson, head of communications for the People’s Party, clarified that the two had met at a Christian Open House for young people and that Thórsdóttir was not in charge of it. According to Icelandic law at the time, individuals became independent at age 16, and the age of sexual consent was 14.
Thórsdóttir’s resignation will take effect on Sunday, following confirmation by the President of Iceland at a meeting of the State Council.