The FpU leader was convicted of drug use as a teenager. Twice he was caught by the police. The incidents happened when he was 16 and 17 years old. It led to one summons and one judgement, Velle told VG on Tuesday.
Together with two comrades, he was sentenced for keeping approx. 100 grams of hashish in 2018.
Velle was sentenced to 30 days’ probation.
He believes it is right that he was convicted, and that he will take responsibility for his own actions. At the same time, he recalls that he was under 18 years of age, and he wants to tell about the reason why he made choices that he now regrets.
Reacts to the volume
In front of the same newspaper, the leader of the Conservative Party says that she thinks it is good that Velle recovered from the intoxication. She still reacts to the volume.
– There are many Norwegian young people who have had bad experiences with drugs. In his case, the volume is so large that it makes it a serious matter. At the same time, I am very much a supporter of the fact that when you have taken your punishment, you have taken your punishment and deserve a second chance. There are many who have done stupid things in their youth, says Høyre leader Erna Solberg to VG in an e-mail.
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She goes on to say that she expects all their union representatives to follow Norwegian law, regardless of what they think politically about drugs.
“Insanely much”
Mani Hussaini from the Labor Party also reacts to the volume. On his own Facebook page, he writes the following:
“Fine with openness and apologizing for old sins! BUT isn’t 100 grams of hash an insane amount to wear? It is important not to trivialize this, even if we should praise openness!”
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– I have to admit that I opened my eyes when I read about the quantities he and two friends were caught with. That’s a crazy amount. As a politician, I think that we should not trivialize the fact that an apparently normal young person can be in possession of such large quantities of drugs, Hussaini elaborates to TV 2.
Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) thinks it is tough for Velle to say that he has previously used and has been convicted of possession of cannabis.
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– I think it can be difficult to tell about such things, and everyone can make mistakes. So I think it was tough done by him, she says to TV 2.
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Simen Velle says that he tried cocaine and cannabis in his teens, and that he was caught by the police twice. Photo: Hanna Johre / NTB
Roses for the openness
Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug is happy that Velle chooses to be open and believes he can be a role model for other young people in a difficult situation.
Ola Svenneby, leader of Unge Høyre, also pays tribute to Velle for his openness.
– Simen has my full support. I am very grateful to read how open he is, says Svenneby to Nettavisen.
Velle has recently announced that he wants a place on the Frp’s parliamentary list in Oslo.
