London: A Finnish minister is at the centre of a racism controversy after a newspaper published leaked text messages in which he called Middle Easterners "desert monkeys" and described Somalis as "spreading like weeds."
Wille Rydman, the minister of economic affairs and a member of the right-wing Finns Party in the coalition government that came to power in June, sent the messages.
In 2016, Rydman, then a 30-year-old MP, sent the messages to his then-girlfriend Amanda Blick.
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After accusing Rydman of using violence and harassment during their relationship, Blick shared the information with the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.
He frequently insults people from the Middle East and uses Islamophobic language in the texts that have leaked.
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He sends Blick a song in one message and suggests that it be played at student gatherings. The lyrics speak of a Muslim raping a woman while visiting Europe.
In addition, Rydman recommended prohibiting those who wear veils in Finland rather than the religious object itself.
Helsingin Sanomat published the messages, and in response, he claimed Blick had tried to smear him and threatened legal action.
Riikka Purra, the leader of his party, claimed that the messages were "inappropriate."
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Even though they were private messages, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo declared: "Under no circumstances can we accept this kind of language. No minister will put up with any kind of racism.
The nation should convey "to Finns and to the outside world that racism will not be tolerated in Finland," he continued.