Europe30 September, 20262 min read
Norway’s Parliament Begins Public Hearings Into Jeffrey Epstein Ties With Diplomats And Politicians
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Parliament began public hearings on Epstein ties with Norwegian politicians and diplomats. Eleven ministers and officials, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, will testify.
Hearings Begin in Oslo
Norway’s parliament began public hearings on Wednesday into ties between late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Norwegian diplomats and politicians, with the probe framed around a scandal that has shaken the nation’s elite. Jonas Andersen Sayed, the leader of the hearing at parliament’s Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs, told Reuters that “There are many people who have demonstrated very poor judgement,” referring to those who had friendships with Epstein.
Jonas Gahr Stoere, Norway’s prime minister and foreign minister from 2005 to 2012, reiterated that he had “never had any relation to Epstein” and said problems were due to “a few individuals not a systemic problem with the foreign ministry.” Børge Brende, a former foreign minister due to testify, resigned as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum after revelations of his friendly relations with Epstein, and Erik Solheim welcomed the probe while warning it should not send a signal to diplomats to play it safe in future talks with parties involved in wars.
Ministers, Immunity, and Denials
The hearings summoned 11 current and former foreign ministers and development ministers, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, and the process is run by parliament’s Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs. Jonas Andersen Sayed said the issue “concerns public trust in the entire system,” adding that “it is essential that all the facts are brought to light, that accountability is established, and that the necessary reforms are implemented,” as police investigations run in parallel.
Thorbjørn Jagland, who is under investigation for aggravated corruption, is not among the officials summoned by parliament, and prosecutors could only move ahead after Norway’s Foreign Ministry stripped the diplomatic immunity tied to his Council of Europe post. Terje Rød-Larsen and Mona Juul both denied wrongdoing as prosecutors charged them over an Oslo condo in 2018, with the parliamentary hearings not including Crown Princess Mette-Marit even though she apologized publicly for her friendship with Epstein and said she felt “manipulated and deceived.”
What the Probe Aims To Do
Parliament appointed an external commission of academics and legal experts to probe “matters and issues brought to light” by the files, with the aim of “improving the integrity and transparency of Norwegian authorities.” The rare investigative commission is due to deliver its findings in early 2028, and the hearings themselves are described as not resulting in any sanctions.
The Local Norway reported that the foreign ministry paid more than 130 million kroner to the International Peace Institute (IPI) between 1997 and 2018, with the payment linked to the think tank headed by Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen from 2005 to 2020. The Local Norway also said the Epstein documents raised questions about “abuse of office, a culture of accountability failures, and poor management of development aid funds,” while the hearings are intended to clarify the circumstances surrounding Norwegian officials’ contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and the government’s actions in connection with those ties.