Randers Council Fires Director Following Nordic Waste Scandal

A majority in Randers City Council has dismissed a top municipal director. The decision comes as a direct consequence of the Nordic Waste landslide scandal. Development, Environment and Technology Director Jens Heslop was terminated during a closed council meeting on Tuesday evening. His union confirmed the dismissal to media. Council members voted to remove Heslop from his position. The action stems from last year's massive landslide at Nordic Waste's soil recycling facility. The 2023 landslide accelerated dramatically and threatened to bury the village of Ølst. Cleanup costs are now estimated to reach half a billion kroner. Jens Heslop declined to comment when contacted. He referred all questions to his union representative. Union press officer Torben Gross stated they are aware of the case and assisting Heslop. Randers Municipality commissioned several reports following the landslide. These investigations aimed to determine responsibility for the environmental disaster. Critics say the municipality failed to conduct sufficient oversight visits at Nordic Waste. The company operated a massive soil processing facility near residential areas. Local authorities face tough questions about their regulatory oversight. This dismissal shows the political fallout continues months after the physical landslide stopped.