Speculation continues to swirl over anonymous ‘Taxgate’ letter

Anonymous author claims desire to reveal truth as motivation, but many say conspiracy revelation actually just another conspiracy

The public may have to wait to get a full insight into what the anonymous letter that temporarily halted the investigation into wrongdoing surrounding the 2010 tax audit of prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, then leader of the opposition, and her husband, Stephen Kinnock.

The author, according to those who have seen the letter and confirmed by a picture run in today's edition of Berlingkse newspaper, said that instead of going public with the evidence to back up the allegations presented in the letter, he (or she) intended to sell it and a number of other revealing details to a publisher.

The author, who in the letter claims to be employed at a Jutland lawfirm, indicated that selling the information was a way to provide financial security for himself (or herself) out of concern that the leak would result in dismissal.

The revelations allegedly prove that Venstre, which held the prime minister’s office until the November 2011 general election, was responsible for orchestrating the audit.

Disregarded, but still fuelling speculation
Legal experts pointed out that the meddling described in the letter, in and of itself, would not be liable to criminal prosecution. And because the author did not come forward by yesterday’s deadline the commission said it will now disregard its allegations.

But the letter weaves a web of conspirators that includes members of the press, leading Venstre lawmakers and Tax Ministry officials. If the allegations are found to be true, they could prove politically inconvenient for the individuals involved. Concerns about potential misdoing in the Thorning-Schmidt audit resulted in Peter Loft being fired in March 2012 as Tax Ministry permanent secretary.

SEE RELATED: Embattled ex-tax minister to seek leave

In the letter, submitted to the Taxgate Commission in September, the author claims to have been motivated by disappointment that the whole truth had not come out during the tribunal’s hearings, which began in August 2012. 

There is still considerable doubt about whether the letter is genuine or is itself a part of a conspiracy intended to throw the tribunal into chaos as it prepared to issue its final judgement. 

ARCHIVE: See our complete list of articles about the Taxgate farce

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