After the metoo movement in 2017, attention was drawn to several cases of harassment and sexism within the Moderates. 

Party secretary Gunnar Strömmer promised measures and a so-called value-based work was launched to "cultivate a healthy party culture". 

A special metoo group was established and presented several demands during the party meeting in 2019. Among other things, the group demanded that reports against the party's own members be processed by independent investigators.

They also wanted to see a special whistleblower function. 

The lid on

When SVT contacts those responsible for gender equality work to take part in the party's policy document after metoo, that is the lid on. 

- We do not give away the party's internal documents, says Niklas Gillström, the Moderates' press manager. 

The party has stated that it follows special guidelines regarding Member of Parliament Hanif Bali (M) who have been investigated for sexually inappropriate behavior.

Hanif Bali denies the allegations.

However, the party does not want to say what routines it is about.

Nor who are in the investigation.

- We do not comment on the investigation, says Gillström. 

Have you hired an independent investigator? 

- I refer to my previous answer.

Culture of silence and brother-in-law politics

This is not the first time that the Moderates have been forced to investigate a high-ranking elected official after sexual accusations.

Torbjörn Tegnhammar (M), opposition councilor in Malmö and member of the party board, was accused of sexual harassment by several women within the Moderates this summer and was forced to resign shortly afterwards in connection with the case being reported to the police.

Registration was later dropped.

SVT Nyheter has been in contact with several women who describe how the work with the investigation has been surrounded by a culture of silence and brother-in-law politics. 

- I got a call from the investigator and then it has been quiet.

I have not received any idea at all that there was a template or plan for the investigation, says one of the women.

Close friend held the investigation

Another woman describes how at least one of Torbjörn Tegnhammar's friends participated in the investigation, information which is confirmed by the party.

- There were people who were close to him, the woman says.

When the women asked to take part in the investigation, it stopped.

- The union has several times requested the investigation, but they have not received it, says the woman who last summer reported Torbjörn Tegnhammar for sexual harassment.

Peter Ollén, chairman of the Moderates in Malmö, says that he has read the criticism.

- I decided to include another person in the investigation because I did not want to keep it myself.

The investigation has since been forwarded to the national organization.

If the union feels that they have not been allowed to take part in the material, they are welcome to contact me, he says.

"Do not feel great confidence"

The women that SVT spoke to want to see a change in how future investigations are conducted.

- I do not feel very confident about the party's ability to handle such things.

They should act much more urgently, especially when it comes to minors, says one of the women.

The grounds for resignation are clearly formulated in the Moderates' own documents.

Before each new term of office, the candidates sign a "candidate declaration" in which they promise to adhere to certain rules of procedure.

- It is clear on paper what you commit to.

But it is the party itself that must decide whether someone should resign.

Otherwise nothing happens, the woman says. 

SVT has sought Karin Juhlin, who is in charge of the internal investigation, to ask questions about the party's routines.

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