Nobel prize in literature may be cancelled in 2018

CAIRO - 27 April 2018: The Swedish Academy is discussing whether to cancel the 2018 Nobel prize in literature, following a string of sexual assault allegations. A decision is expected on 3 May, The Guradian reported on Friday.

At their weekly meeting on 26 April, the 11 remaining members of the committee debated the question. "The Swedish Academy yesterday discussed the Nobel prize and came to no decision," Per Wästberg, who heads the four-person panel that awards the prize, told the Guardian following the meeting.

"After our next Thursday meeting there will most probably be a statement on whether we will award a prize this year or reserve it for next year, in which case two prizes for literature will be announced in October 2019," the paper said.

The institution, founded by King Gustav III in 1786 to further the "purity, strength and sublimity of the Swedish language", was shaken in November when the French photographer Jean-Claude Arnault was accused of sexual assault or harassment by 18 women. Arnault is married to academy member Katarina Frostenson.