Thomas Vatne, the local leader of Høyre in Lund, Rogaland, has suggested that the party should postpone the election of a new leader due to recent controversies that have put the party in a negative light. He emphasized the need for transparency and integrity, arguing that rebuilding trust with the public is crucial before proceeding with leadership changes. Vatne's comments come in the wake of alarming information regarding the new Høyre leader's ties to serious allegations involving financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The urgency for postponing the leadership election is underscored by the fact that the incoming leader confirmed having knowledge of a serious warning associated with the think tank IPI, previously overseen by Terje Rød-Larsen. This warning was directly linked to Epstein, who has been convicted of serious offenses against minors. Vatne's call for honesty and accountability points to an internal party struggle as they attempt to navigate the deficits in public trust caused by these revelations.

In a statement to VG, Anniken Søreide, the incoming leader, made it clear that the warning has been regarded as a matter for the police, indicating the severity of the allegations. This context raises critical questions about how Høyre will handle the fallout from these past incidents and whether delaying the leadership election could help mitigate any further damage to the party's reputation.