The Gyldendal boss announces a review of the book “Partiet” – but sees no reason to withdraw it

– After the media attention at the weekend and the fact that the book came out in the shops on Monday, we have received quite a few new inquiries. We are now working together with the authors to go into these thoroughly and ensure that any errors and inconsistencies are changed where appropriate before the next edition, says Volan to TV 2.

At the same time, she says VG :

– We see no reason to withdraw the book. Then information would have to come to light that indicates that the entire supporting narrative in the book is wrong.

VG further asks her if what is in the book is true.

– Yes, I think that depends entirely on who you ask, answers Volan.

Anonymous sources

She calls it “the best story our authors have told based on their source material.”

The book “Partiet” was written by Dagbladet journalists Steinar Suvatne and Jørgen Gilbrant. It is subtitled “An insider’s report on the fall of the Labor Party” and claims to describe a number of situations in the party over the past decade.

Many have reacted to the extensive use of anonymous sources, and that the sources have not been offered a response or countermeasures at the same time. Several factual errors have also been identified in the book.

Volan will not tell VG how many errors they have found or received feedback on so far.

Widow was not contacted

Former AUF leader Eskil Pedersen, former Ap deputy leader Bjørnar Skjæran and TV 2 journalist Lars Joakim Skarvøy are among those who have reacted to factual errors. Author and former Ap politician Anne Holt has gone even harder and believes the book should be withdrawn in its entirety.

So does Karen Marie Berg, the widow of former Ap leader Hans Kristian Amundsen – who was not contacted before the book went to press, even though Amundsen’s name is referenced 67 times. On Tuesday, former representative of the Storting and fiscal policy spokesperson in Ap, Marianne Marthinsen, came out strongly against the book in a chronicle in VG.

– It is not surprising to us that people will also try to discredit the publication. You have to take that into account when you go for this type of method. I wish the book had come out before people started to think, says Volan to the newspaper.