Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul has resigned after Norway's Foreign Ministry said her contacts with Jeffrey Epstein constituted a "serious failure of judgement." Juul was suspended as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq while an internal inquiry examines links revealed in files released by the U.S. government. The ministry has launched a review of past grants to the International Peace Institute, formerly led by Juul's husband Terje Roed‑Larsen. The revelations have triggered political fallout in Norway and prompted a related resignation in the United Kingdom.
Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul Steps Down After Epstein Links Trigger Wider Scandal
Norway's Ambassador to the United Nations Mona Juul addresses the United Nations Security Council during a meeting, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Norway's Foreign Ministry announced on Feb. 8 that veteran diplomat Mona Juul has stepped down after officials said her contacts with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein represented a "serious failure of judgement." Juul was suspended earlier in the week from her post as ambassador accredited to Jordan and Iraq while an internal inquiry examines links identified in a large trove of files released by the U.S. government.
Resignation and Official Statements
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Juul's conduct made it difficult to restore the trust required for her role. In a statement he described her ties to Epstein as showing "a serious failure of judgment." Juul's lawyer, Thomas Skjelbred, said she voluntarily stepped down because the current situation made it impossible for her to carry out her duties and that she will "continue to cooperate fully with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help ensure that all relevant facts in the matter come to light."
"Juul's contact with convicted sex offender Epstein has shown a serious failure of judgment. The case makes it difficult to rebuild the trust that the role requires." — Espen Barth Eide
Investigations and Institutional Review
The Foreign Ministry has also initiated a review of past grants to the International Peace Institute (IPI), a New York think tank that was led until 2020 by Juul's husband, Terje Roed‑Larsen. Roed‑Larsen, who briefly served in the Norwegian cabinet in 1996, has previously apologised for his connections to Epstein. His lawyer noted that the National Audit Office already investigated the matter several years ago but expressed no objection to another review.
Regional And International Fallout
The revelations have prompted wider political repercussions beyond Norway. In Britain, Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, resigned after taking responsibility for advising the prime minister to name Peter Mandelson ambassador to the United States despite Mandelson's known ties to Epstein. Several prominent Norwegians, including Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, have issued apologies over their own links to Epstein.
Background
Juul, 66, a former junior government minister, previously served as Norway's ambassador to Israel, to Britain and to the United Nations. She and Roed‑Larsen were prominent members of the small diplomatic team that helped facilitate the 1993–1995 Oslo Accords — a milestone in Israeli‑Palestinian diplomacy, though a lasting peace was not achieved.
Next Steps
The internal inquiry in Norway will seek to determine the full extent of Juul's contacts and any institutional links uncovered in the U.S. file release. The ministry's review of IPI grants and any follow-up from audit authorities may lead to further administrative or political actions.
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