Nobel literature prize panel boss steps down over sex abuse scandal

The head of the Nobel literature prize panel has resigned over her handling of sexual harassment allegations made against the husband of one of its members.

Swedish Academy boss Sara Danius announced her decision to step down following a three-hour emergency meeting of the institution’s members yesterday in Stockholm, The Guardian reports.

The 56-year old Swedish literature historian - the first female chief of the Academy, which selects the Nobel literature prize winners - said: “It is the Academy’s wish that I leave my post as permanent secretary.” 

Her resignation comes after a Swedish newspaper reported that 18 women had made allegations of harassment and physical abuse against the husband of Katarina Frostenson, a member of the Academy.

Frostenson also stepped down yesterday. Her husband, Jean-Claude Arnault, denies the allegations against him.

A further three of the Academy’s 18 members withdrew last week over the issue. In a statement, the board said: “It is inevitable that a severe crisis at a prize-awarding institution also harms the Nobel Prize’s reputation. We can see that the trust in the Swedish Academy has been seriously damaged. It is not yet clear how this situation may tarnish the Nobel Prize’s reputation.”

The Academy has also come under fire for the way it handled the allegations of sexual misconduct. Having initially given Arnault financial help to run a cultural club in Stockholm, the Academy has now severed ties with him and launched an internal investigation.

State prosecutors are continuing to investigate incidents related to the allegations, Reuters reports.