Noble Prize For Literature Postponed Over Sex Scandal

For the first time since World War II, the prestigious Noble Peace Prize will not hold. The Swedish Academy, the institution responsible for the awards, made the announcement this morning (4th of May).

This new development is as a result of the sexual and financial scandal that has plagued Jean-Claude Arnault, a member of the Swedish Academy.

In a released statement, the Academy’s permanent secretary, Anders Olsson wrote,

“out of respect for previous and future literature laureates, the Nobel Foundation and the general public… We find it necessary to commit time to recovering public confidence in the academy before the next laureate can be announced”.

The Nobel Committee noted that the announcement does not cover other Noble Prizes.

“The crisis in the Swedish Academy has adversely affected the Nobel Prize. Their decision underscores the seriousness of the situation and will help safeguard the long-term reputation of the Nobel Prize. None of this impacts the awarding of the 2018 Nobel Prizes in other prize categories”, it said in a statement.

Since the scandal, six Academy members have stepped down.

Arnault is facing allegations of touching Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria in an inappropriate manner among other sexual allegations.

With stories of sexual misconduct arising, a 1996 dated letter also shows Arnault’s indictment which the organisation said it “deeply regrets that the letter was shelved and no measures taken to investigate the charges.”

Meanwhile, his lawyer Bjorn Hurtig, in a statement has said that his client claims that the allegations are completely false.

The 2018 laureate  will be announced in 2019.