Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin apologises for topless picture of influencers at official residence

24 August 2022, 14:26 | Updated: 24 August 2022, 14:31

Finland's prime minister has been forced to apologise over a picture of two topless women
Finland's prime minister has been forced to apologise over a picture of two topless women. Picture: Alamy

By Megan Hinton

Finland's prime minister has been forced to apologise after a photo was posted on social media that showed two topless women kissing at her official government summer residence.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The photo came out after a video that showed Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing and singing with friends prompted a debate about whether the 36-year-old head of government should be enjoying an excessive social life.

Ms Marin confirmed the photo was taken in a bathroom at an official residence of Finnish prime ministers following a music festival in early July.

Ms Marin does not appear in the image; the two women featured have their chests covered with a sign that says "Finland".

One of the women, described as a social media influencer, posted the photo, which was removed shortly after news outlets started reporting about it.

Read more: Elizabeth Line sections to link up and become fully connected in 'giant leap for London's transport'

Ms Marin heads a five-party governing coalition in Finland
Ms Marin heads a five-party governing coalition in Finland. Picture: Alamy

"In my opinion, that photo is not appropriate, I apologise for that. That photo shouldn't have been taken," Ms Marin said, according to Finnish broadcaster YLE.

Sabina Särkkä, 33, a social media influencer who was one of the topless women in the picture, also said she was "deeply sorry" for causing further embarrassment Ms Marin.

Ms Särkkä said: "I published on 10.7. an inappropriate picture that should not have been taken. I am deeply sorry and apologize for my behaviour."

She said the post-festival gathering was a private party and the names of all guests were provided to the security detail that monitors the Kesaranta property, located in the northern part of Helsinki.

The two-story wooden villa from 1873 features a seaside sauna, a pavilion, a jetty, and a tennis court.

"We were using the sauna facilities and the garden area, but we did not spend time inside the Kesaranta house, although the downstairs guest toilets were in use," Ms Marin said, according to YLE.

In the video leaked last week, Ms Marin appeared with friends at a different private party.

She has acknowledged that she and her friends celebrated in a "boisterous way" and that alcohol - but, to her knowledge, no drugs - was involved.

Read more: 'Ukraine's fighting and open for business': UK unveils new digital trade agreement 6 months after Russia's invasion

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin poses at her official residence, Kesaranta, in Helsinki
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin poses at her official residence, Kesaranta, in Helsinki. Picture: Alamy

Ms Marin said she attended the party in recent weeks, but refused to say exactly where and when. She said on Friday that she took a drug test to put an end to speculation about illegal substance use.

The results were negative, Ms Marin reported on Monday, adding she paid for the test herself.

One of Finland's major newspapers, Helsingin Sanomat, reported that with a general election scheduled next year, frustration is growing among member's of the prime minister's Social Democratic Party.

While no-one is talking about pressuring Ms Marin to resign and she remains popular within the party, some members interviewed by the newspaper were critical of her judgment amid the war in Ukraine and Finland's pending bid to join Nato.

One party member, Helsingin Sanomat, quoted anonymously noted that Finland still is a relatively conservative country, especially outside the capital region.

Ms Marin heads a five-party governing coalition, and it has won praise for guiding the country steadfastly through the Covid-19 pandemic and the Nato application process.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

More weather warnings are in place for Monday after Storm Bert saw five Brits die over the weekend.

Storm Bert bashes Britain: Five die after flooding with more weather warnings in place for Monday

A former British soldier has been captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine, state media has claimed.

Former Brit soldier 'captured by Russia' while fighting in Ukraine

Assisted dying law changes will pass the Commons on Friday, MPs in support of the bill have claimed ahead of the crunch vote.

Assisted dying bill 'has enough support to pass Commons' next week, MPs supporting change claim

Bar staff will be trained to deal with spiking under a new crackdown on violence against women on nights out, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

Bar staff to get anti-spiking training as part of Starmer's crackdown on nightlife violence against women

Former England ace Wayne Rooney has broken his silence about wife Coleen appearing on I'm A Celebrity! Get Me Out Of Here.

Wayne Rooney admits he's voting for wife Coleen to do I'm A Celeb trials and 'wants to go into the jungle next'

Members of the Israeli forces inspect a site following a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Hezbollah fires massive '340 missile' barrage in Tel Aviv after Israel killed 29 in Lebanon

A man in his 80s has died after his car went into the water in Lancashire 0n the latest Storm Bert fatality.

Man in his 80s dies after car goes into water as Storm Bert flooding sees major incident declared

Exclusive
Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake has called on Labour to stand up to the International Criminal Court after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Labour should stand up to the ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant, top Tory tells LBC's Lewis Goodall

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor deletes vile rant about woman he raped after civil jury found him liable for 2018 attack

Lauren Laverne has revealed she is cancer-free

Lauren Laverne reveals she's cancer free in major health update

Wales has been hit with severe flooding

Body found in search for man, 75, who went missing while walking his dog near river during Storm Bert

Storm Bert is battering Britain for a second day

Major incident declared as Storm Bert causes 'devastating' floods with homes and cars left underwater

Westminster Bridge has been closed off following the stabbing

Man left fighting for his life after cardiac arrest on Westminster Bridge after stabbing rumours

Zayn Malik has paid tribute to Liam Payne

'Love you bro': Zayn Malik pays tribute to Liam Payne at first show since former bandmate's death

Diane Abbott speaks to Lewis Goodall

'It's literally a life and death question': Diane Abbott calls for more discussion on assisted dying before vote

Storm Bert i battering Britain for a second day

'Danger to life' warning as Storm Bert batters Britain for second day with more than 200 flood alerts in place