Norwegian ambassador resigns over Epstein scandal
Norway's ambassador to Jordan and Iraq has resigned after becoming embroiled in the Epstein scandal.
Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul has resigned from her position due to her involvement in the Epstein scandal.
Ms Juul was the ambassador to Jordan and Iraq.
Her contact with convicted US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein revealed a “serious lapse in judgement”, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement released on Sunday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The case makes it difficult to restore the trust necessary for the role.”
Ms Juul’s decision was therefore the right one, Barth Eide said.
The Norwegian and her husband, former top diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, are under pressure following the release of new documents in the case of the sex offender Epstein.
The couple’s two children are said to have been included in the disgraced financier’s will, each with $US5 million ($A7.1 million). Epstein is said to have signed this shortly before his death in custody.
Ms Juul had previously stated in Norwegian media that she met Epstein in a diplomatic context and subsequently had minimal contact with him. She said she deeply regrets her connection to him.
Her husband distanced himself from Epstein in 2020, describing his contact with the businessman as a “serious misjudgment.” According to Norwegian media, Mr Rød-Larsen had a “personal financial relationship” with Epstein.
Following revelations last week, Ms Juul was initially suspended.
The Foreign Ministry is now investigating what the ambassador knew about Epstein, and how and to what extent she had contact with him - also to determine what “further consequences” the case might have for Ms Juul.
She remains employed by the Foreign Ministry for now.
The diplomat and her husband are not the only Norwegians to have been troubled by the publication of the new Epstein files.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, and the head of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende, also appear in the documents.
