OSLO, Norway (AFP) - Former Norwegian minister Trond Giske, a deputy leader of the Labour party, announced his resignation on Sunday after accusations that he sexually harassed young women.

Giske, 51, who served in several ministerial roles most recently as trade minister until 2013, was the subject of at least six accusations according to Norwegian media.

The details of those accusations have not been made public but one local official, Line Oma, on Friday said Giske had pressed her against a wall and kissed her at a disco in New Delhi in 2010 during a visit by the then trade and industry minister.

The scandal is a major embarrassment for the Labour party, which prides itself on being at the forefront of equality issues, and which recorded disappointing results at the last legislative elections in October.

Giske, one of two deputy leaders of the party, said on Facebook Sunday he was stepping down as "the burden has become too heavy and it weighs down on those I love the most and who have not themselves chosen themselves a political life".

The former minister is in a relationship with Norwegian singer and journalist Haddy N'jie.

Giske added in his online comments that he wants "to answer questions that are asked and address what I think is inaccurate" in the allegations against him.

He also gave up his position in the Norwegian parliament's finance committee.

Labour Party head Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement that he respected Giske's decision.

In November a thousand artists in Norway, considered one of the world's most gender-equal countries, denounced rape, assault and harassment in manifestos published by the Norwegian media.

The Giske scandal comes with the issue of rape and sexual harassment to the fore in the wake of the downfall of US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual assault by more than a hundred women.</s>OSLO, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The deputy head of Norway's main opposition Labour Party said on Sunday he was resigning following accusations of sexual harassment.

Trond Giske, 51, who held several cabinet posts in Labour governments, has apologised for what he said was unsuitable behaviour, but has rejected the most severe allegations as false and unfounded.

Few details of the allegation have been made public, but party leader Jonas Gahr Stoere said last month several women had accused his deputy of "unwanted encounters of a sexual nature".

Giske, who has been suspended from his post since Jan. 1, wrote on Facebook that he had decided to step down as deputy leader, and that he would also resign his post as Labour's chief spokesman on economic policy if requested by the party.

"The main reason I'm doing this, is that it's impossible for me and my family to withstand the pressure we've been under in recent weeks," he said, while adding he looked forward to present his own version of the cases.

Gahr Stoere said in a statement he had advised Giske, one of two deputy leaders of the party, to resign. Giske, who had been seen as a contender to lead the party in the future, remains a member of Norway's parliament.

The next parliamentary election is not due until 2021.

A number of figures from politics, corporate life and entertainment in several countries have quit or been fired in recent weeks as women have come forward with accusations of abuse and harassment.

The social movement aimed at raising awareness of sexual harassment and assault, epitomised by the #MeToo social media hashtag, was last month named Time magazine's 2017 "Person of the Year". (Reporting by Henrik Stolen; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Alison Williams)</s>The #MeToo movement forced a top Norwegian politician to step down from his job as the deputy leader of the country’s biggest opposition party after allegations of misconduct.

Trond Giske, 51, said late on Sunday that he will step down as deputy leader of the Labor Party and as its economic policy spokesman.

Giske has been an influential figure in Norwegian politics for more than 20 years, and has held several ministerial posts, serving most recently as trade and industry minister in 2013.

His resignation comes after a wave of allegations against Giske of inappropriate behavior toward women from mostly anonymous whistle blowers. Giske has apologized for his actions, which span several years, but has also said that some of the allegations aren’t true.

“I will answer questions that are asked and confront the claims that I think are wrong,” he said in a Facebook post late Sunday. “At the same time, I again apologize for the things that I’ve done that have caused discomfort to others. I haven’t always been aware of my own role in all situations, especially in informal and private situations. I’m sorry for that.”

Jonas Gahr Store, the Labor Party’s leader, said on Monday that he was in agreement with Giske’s resignation. While the party is still going through the allegations, Store said at a press conference in Oslo that what has been revealed so far is not compatible with our “rules” and “values.”

The scandal has shaken the party, which is still reeling from a loss in September’s general election.</s>Trond Giske retires as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party

Trond Giske steps down as the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party on a permanent basis. He also withdraws as a financial spokesperson, he writes in a post on Facebook.

– As the situation has become, I have together with my closest family decided that this must be on permanent basis. – I also make my place as chairman of the Labour Party’s financial fraction available, if this is according to the wishes of the parliamentary group, writes Giske in the post.

Labour leader, Jonas Gahr Støre, and party secretary, Kjersti Stenseng, have been informed of the decision, he goes on.

The strain has become too large

– The main reason why I do this is that it is impossible for me and the family to continue to withstand the pressure we have been subject to during the last couple of weeks. The strain has become too large, and it affects the ones I love the most and who have not chosen for a life in politics. It’s very hard for them to experience the picture drawn of me, day in and day out.

– The other reason is consideration to the Labour Party and the important work we have in front of us, Giske writes in the post, in which he also thanks for the support and care.

– At the same time, I know how many people are dispaired that our work is paralyzed and that we do not get to work on politics. I hope my decision allows members and union representatives to again use the forces to build the society we have a passion for, he goes on.

Giske at the same time hopes that the decision will lead to a good handling of the warning cases against him.

– I look forward to provide my version of the cases. Being on sick leave has so far made it impossible to contribute to this. I will answer questions that are asked and respond to what I think is incorrect, writes Giske, who again apologizes for the things he has done that has caused others discomfort.

– I have not always been sufficiently aware of my own role in all situations, especially informal and private. I’m sorry about that.

– I have advised Giske to withdraw and therefore support the decision he has taken and respect it, says Støre in a press release on Sunday evening.

He will explain to the central comittee in the Labour Party why he thinks this was the correct decision on Monday.

– I hope it will provide calm around the further process, says Støre.

The Central Committee will hold its monthly meeting on Monday at the party office at Youngstorget in Oslo.

NTB attempted to contact the party secretary, Kjersti Stenseng, and Deputy Leader, Hadia Tajik, on Sunday. None of them want to comment on Giske’s resignation.

– I think that we let Jonas’s press release be enough said, says Tajik’s advisor, Edina Ringdal, in a text message to NTB.
Trond Giske announces his permanent resignation as deputy leader of Norway's Labour Party after several sexual assault accusations. He also gives up his position in the Norwegian parliament's finance committee.