Swedish defence minister evacuated from plane after bomb hoax: report

Public broadcaster SVT said the plane was stopped on the tarmac as it was about to take off from the northern Swedish town of Lulea, and Peter Hultqvist was whisked off.

SVT cited passengers on board the flight who recognised the minister and a police investigator who confirmed he was booked on the flight.

The Swedish government and his security detail refused however to confirm whether Hultqvist was indeed on board.

"We don't disclose schedules or any details of our travel arrangements," said defence ministry spokeswoman Marinette Nyh Radebo.

Police said in a statement they had responded to a threat called in to the Lulea airport, but they deemed it a hoax and called off their response.