Lars Barstad Løvold Has Resigned As Leader of the Progress Party's Youth Wing, Announcing the Decision Himself on Facebook on Wednesday

I am stepping down as leader. I do not recognize myself at all in the allegations directed at me, but given how this case has developed, it is difficult to continue as leader, Løvold wrote in the post. He has led FpU since April, when he took over from Simen Velle.

On Tuesday, TV 2 reported that a formal complaint against Løvold was being processed within the youth party, which FpU's secretary general confirmed to VG. In his Facebook post, Løvold leveled sharp criticism at TV 2: Even though I am nowhere near experiencing the realities of this case the way the media, and especially TV 2, portray it, I realize that questions are being raised about my ability to lead FpU, because TV 2, through its harassing methods — including toward very young local FpU representatives — tears down trust. VG has presented TV 2 with Løvold's criticism and contacted the broadcaster's news editor, Karianne Solbrække, for comment.

TV 2 has not yet responded but has itself covered the criticism against it. Earlier Wednesday, VG published a story about the complaint against the FpU leader. According to VG's information, the complaint covers several messages he allegedly sent to a 17-year-old girl who is a member of FpU.

He is also said to have approved the girl being served alcohol at a private party. VG has also asked FpU's secretary general Maia Søe Paulsen and acting leader Lars Andreas Scheide Vartdal for comment on Løvold's resignation. They have not yet responded.