Kiruna municipality commissioned an external and independent investigation via Azets after LKAB warned that managers in the municipality held multiple positions, raising potential conflict of interest concerns. The investigation has now concluded that there was no conflict of interest situation, according to the report.
The investigation found that the companies involved have internal controls that uphold democratic principles, maintaining independence, transparency, and no conflicts of interest affecting governance. According to SVT Nyheter, municipal director Susanne Hägglund described the investigation as clearly showing no conflicts of interest or irregularities where private interests affected independence.
Feels good that we have done what we should.
The municipality has received recommendations to strengthen future governance. These include ensuring that attestations and business agreements are not made by persons with potential conflicts of interest, establishing uniform processes for secondary employment, setting delegation orders where missing, training staff in conflict of interest and anti-corruption, and considering potential conflicts of interest from multiple perspectives in business relationships. According to SVT Nyheter, municipal councilor Mats Taaveniku described the recommendations as valuable for further strengthening the municipality's processes.
The investigation clearly shows that there have been no conflicts of interest or irregularities where private interests have affected independence or given rise to conflict of interest situations.
The recommendations the municipality has received to further strengthen the municipality's processes are valuable.