Frostadóttir: “Big Words Were Spoken”

A heated exchange took place in Alþingi yesterday when Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, chairwoman of the Independence Party, accused Víðir Reynisson, chair of the General and Education Committee, of unlawfully interfering in the asylum case of Colombian boy Oscar Anders Florez Bocanegra .

“Very big words are being spoken here about an illegal data leak,” responded Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, defending Reynisson’s actions.

During an impromptu question period, Hafsteinsdóttir asked the Prime Minister whether Alþingi had the authority to grant citizenship in this case, and whether Reynisson’s conduct undermined the integrity of the legal process.

“We have confirmed, through documents and public interviews, that MP Víðir Reynisson leaked confidential information about the committee’s handling of a case to the Directorate of Immigration,” Hafsteinsdóttir said. “He did so without consulting the committee and without Alþingi’s approval. In effect, the MP acted as though the law didn’t apply to this individual and sought to influence the outcome of a rejected application.”

She criticized the Directorate of Immigration’s decision to halt only Boconegra’s deportation based on Reynisson’s input, while similar cases were not reviewed. “This is political interference cloaked as compassion, and it undermines trust in our institutions,” she said.

“This is about common sense”

Frostadóttir rejected the allegations, saying Reynisson had merely shared information about a developing situation and had made no formal request. “The Directorate of Immigration and the National Commissioner of Police made their own decisions. This is not a leak. This is not a demand. This is not coercion,” she stated.

She added that it would have been impractical to deport a child who was likely to receive citizenship from Alþingi shortly thereafter. “This is about common sense,” Frostadóttir said. “Why proceed with a costly deportation if that individual would return almost immediately?”

"No respect for Alþingi?"

Hafsteinsdóttir doubled down, pointing out that Reynisson had admitted to direct contact with the Directorate and passed on internal committee information unilaterally. “He acted alone and without authority, while publicly speaking as if he has the power to grant citizenship. He does not,” she said. “Does the majority government have no respect for Alþingi? Why should anyone trust the process if MPs can pre-determine the outcome of sensitive cases?”

“What law was broken?”

Frostadóttir concluded by asserting that no laws had been broken. “This was not Reynisson’s decision alone. A subcommittee composed of both majority and minority members reviewed the matter. Administrative law does not apply to Alþingi members, and no clear breach of confidentiality has been shown.”

She emphasized that government institutions acted independently and responsibly. “In my view, proceeding with a deportation in this case would have wasted taxpayer money and constituted unjust treatment of a child.”