The prosecution has decided at the last moment to stop criminal proceedings against Tommy Kamp, the onetime leader of Socialdemokraterne (S) in Køge, according to prosecutors and police. Prosecutors said that the owners of the restaurant in Køge that had accused Kamp of accepting free services in exchange for the promise of political favours no longer feel they were wronged by the politician.
"The prosecution has received new information concerning the case," lead prosecutor Morten Frederiksen said in a statement. “The two restaurateurs now believe that they were not cheated.”
Suspension of the proceedings means that Kamp’s former friend, Henrik Sass Larsen (S) the newly-appointed head of Socialdemokraterne's parliamentary group, will not be forced to testify in the case which had been scheduled to start on Monday in Roskilde.
The case against Kamp began in March 2011 when the owners of Café Vanilla in Køge accused him of eating and drinking for free several times at their restaurant with the understanding that he would secure them permission to put in outdoor seating.
Larsen wound up in the middle of the case because he was seen at the restaurant several times with Kamp. One of Café Vanilla’s owners also reported seeing Larsen, Kamp and a member of the Banditos, Torben Ohlsen-Jensen together at a bar in Køge. Larsen’s association with Ohlsen-Jensen, also known as 'Suzuki-Torben', led to PET calling Larsen a security risk. Larsen steeped down as his party’s spokesperson and withdrew his name from the short list of ministerial candidates while he was under investigation. His recent return to the front lines is expected to give the government – and his party – a boost in their political communication.
One of the café owners, Murat Kitir, also alleged that he had supplied both Kamp and Larsen with drugs.
Kamp said via his attorney that he was glad the case had been dropped and that he had just wished it had happened sooner. He has always maintained his innocence.
Larsen told Politiken newspaper that he would not comment on the case against his former friend until he had a chance to examine the reasons behind why it was dropped.
