Iceland’s Minister for Children and Education, Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, has resigned after revelations of her past relationship with a 15-year-old boy when she was 22, resulting in a child.
According to RUV, Thórsdóttir met the boy while working as a counselor for a religious group and gave birth at 23. Icelandic law prohibits adults in authority from engaging in relationships with minors under 18.
Now an adult, the father claims he was denied access to his son despite initially being present. Though his contact was cut off before the child turned one, he was required to pay child support for 18 years. His attempts to gain visitation rights were allegedly blocked by Thórsdóttir.
Following RUV’s report, Thórsdóttir resigned, effective Sunday, but will remain a member of parliament. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir confirmed the resignation, while the People’s Party denied accusations that Thórsdóttir prevented the father’s access.
