Sweden's multi-billion kronor privatisation drive has been thrown into further disarray after Carnegie last night resigned as adviser on two state asset sales and a second former executive at the scandal-hit investment bank in 48 hours quit his government post this morning.

Urban Funered, a former compliance officer at Carnegie who was appointed state secretary within Swedish financial markets minister Mats Odell's department last month, resigned today, just days after the departure of Karin Forseke, the former chief executive of Carnegie who was appointed to oversee Swedish asset sales for the government in February.