Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, Mona Juul, has resigned following the launch of an investigation into her past ties with disgraced US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Calls Resignation “Necessary”
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Juul’s resignation was both “correct and necessary,” citing serious concerns over her judgment.
“Juul’s contact with the convicted abuser Epstein represents a serious lapse in judgment,” Eide said in an official statement.
Juul had been temporarily suspended earlier this week while the ministry initiated a formal review of her alleged connections to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Financial Links Under Scrutiny
According to Norwegian media reports, Epstein left $10 million in his will to Juul’s two children, whom she shares with her husband, Terje Rød-Larsen. Rød-Larsen is also a prominent Norwegian diplomat and was a key mediator in the Oslo peace talks.
The foreign minister said the investigation aims to determine the full extent of Juul’s interactions with Epstein during her tenure as a senior official in Norway’s foreign service.
“It is important to establish the scope of the contact she had with Epstein in her capacity as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee,” Eide said.
Embassy Leadership to Continue Under Deputy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Norway’s embassy in Jordan will be overseen by the deputy ambassador until a new envoy is formally appointed.
Juul’s Lawyer Cites Personal and Professional Strain
Juul’s lawyer, Thomas Skjelbred, said she chose to resign because the ongoing controversy made it impossible for her to carry out her duties responsibly.
“The situation has placed an enormous strain on her and her immediate family,” Skjelbred said, adding that Juul will continue to cooperate fully with the ministry’s investigation.
Wider Impact on Norway’s Elite
Juul is among several high-profile Norwegian figures drawn into renewed scrutiny following the latest release of Epstein-related documents. The fallout has extended into Norway’s political and royal circles.
World Economic Forum CEO and former Norwegian foreign minister Børge Brende has also faced public attention, while former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland is reportedly under investigation on separate allegations of aggravated corruption.
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has acknowledged and expressed regret over her past association with Epstein, saying on Friday that she “deeply regretted” the relationship.
Ongoing Review
The Norwegian government has indicated that the investigation into Juul’s case will continue despite her resignation, as authorities seek clarity on how Epstein’s network intersected with influential figures in Norway’s diplomatic and political establishment.
