Norway is once again in the international spotlight after Mona Juul, the country’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, announced her resignation amid mounting scrutiny over her contacts with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry confirmed Juul’s departure on February 8, 2026, marking a dramatic turn in a scandal that has sent shockwaves through Norway’s diplomatic circles and reverberated across Europe.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide did not mince words in his official statement, calling the decision for Juul to step down both “correct and necessary.” As reported by Anadolu Agency and Reuters, Eide emphasized, “Juul’s contact with convicted abuser Epstein has shown a serious failure in judgment. The case makes it difficult to restore the trust that the role requires.” Trust—so vital in the world of diplomacy—had been shaken to its core.
The controversy erupted after a massive set of files released by the United States government revealed links between Juul and Epstein. The Foreign Ministry responded swiftly, suspending Juul from her ambassadorial duties last week while launching a formal review into her knowledge of and contact with Epstein. The investigation aimed to clarify not only the extent of her interactions, but also whether they had any bearing on her diplomatic responsibilities. The ministry made clear that Juul would not return to her post; for now, a deputy ambassador will lead the embassy until a permanent replacement is found.
The fallout from the scandal is not limited to Mona Juul alone. The Foreign Ministry has also started reviewing its grants and contacts with the International Peace Institute (IPI), a New York-based think tank that was headed by Juul’s husband, Terje Roed-Larsen, until 2020. The ministry cited “very extensive and very worrying” information about Roed-Larsen’s links to Epstein as a reason for reopening the investigation. According to Reuters, the National Audit Office had already examined these ties several years ago, but Roed-Larsen’s lawyer, John Christian Elden, stated, “Terje Roed-Larsen naturally has no objections to this being done again.”
Juul, who is 66 years old, has long been a prominent figure in Norwegian and international diplomacy. She previously served as ambassador to Israel, Britain, and at the United Nations, and was also a junior government minister. She and Roed-Larsen were instrumental as part of the small group of diplomats who facilitated the landmark 1993-1995 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians—a moment that, at the time, was heralded as a breakthrough in the decades-long conflict. Despite their illustrious careers, the couple now finds themselves at the center of a growing scandal that threatens to overshadow their diplomatic legacy.
Juul’s lawyer, Thomas Skjelbred, said in a statement that she had voluntarily stepped down, recognizing that “the current situation made it impossible for her to carry out her work.” Skjelbred added, “Mona Juul will continue to cooperate fully with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help ensure that all relevant facts in the matter come to light.” The Foreign Ministry has underscored that the case will be assessed under the State Employees Act, which governs the duties of civil servants. The findings could determine further consequences for Juul’s employment, beyond her immediate resignation from the ambassadorial post.
The reverberations of the Epstein scandal are being felt well beyond Norway. In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned on February 8, 2026, taking responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States—despite Mandelson’s known links to Epstein. The episode underscores just how far Epstein’s shadow stretches, ensnaring high-profile figures across the political spectrum and across borders.
Even Norway’s royal family has not been immune. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who had previously acknowledged her own contact with Epstein, issued another public apology on February 6, 2026, this time directed at the king and queen. As Reuters reported, several other prominent Norwegians have also faced scrutiny over their ties to Epstein, adding to the sense that the scandal is far from contained.
For the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, the immediate priority is to get to the bottom of the matter. “It is important to understand the extent of the contact she, as an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has had with Epstein,” Foreign Minister Eide stated. Talks with Juul are ongoing, as the ministry seeks to determine whether her previous explanations are consistent with newly emerging information. The ministry’s review is not only about individual accountability, but also about restoring public trust in Norway’s diplomatic institutions.
The International Peace Institute, the think tank formerly led by Roed-Larsen, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The organization, which has received grants from the Norwegian government, is now the subject of renewed scrutiny as officials pore over records from Roed-Larsen’s tenure. Roed-Larsen, now 78, has apologized multiple times for his connection to Epstein, but the ministry’s review signals that apologies alone may not suffice in the current climate.
Norway’s handling of the situation is being closely watched, both at home and abroad. The country has long prided itself on its commitment to transparency and ethical governance, values that are now being put to the test. The Foreign Ministry’s decision to act swiftly and publicly is seen by some as a necessary step to preserve the integrity of Norway’s diplomatic service. Others, however, worry that the scandal could have lasting repercussions for Norway’s reputation on the global stage.
For many Norwegians, the case is a painful reminder of how even the most respected public figures can become entangled in controversy. The fact that the scandal has touched not only diplomats and politicians, but also members of the royal family, has made it all the more unsettling. As the ministry’s investigation continues, there is a sense of collective soul-searching underway—a determination to learn the lessons of the past and ensure that such failures of judgment are not repeated in the future.
As the dust settles, the fate of Mona Juul and Terje Roed-Larsen remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Norway’s diplomatic community is undergoing a period of reckoning. The country’s leaders are grappling with difficult questions about accountability, trust, and the responsibilities that come with public service. Only time will tell how deep the consequences will run, but for now, the message from Oslo is unambiguous: no one is above scrutiny.