Norway’s Ambassador to the United Nations Mona Juul. File
| Photograph Credit score: AP
A Norwegian ambassador who was concerned in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts within the Nineties and most not too long ago served in Jordan has resigned as she faces scrutiny over her contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, the nation’s International Ministry mentioned.
The Ministry introduced Mona Juul’s resignation on Sunday (February 8, 2026) night, days after she was suspended as Norway’s ambassador to Jordan. That adopted stories that Epstein left the youngsters of Ms. Juul and her husband, Terje Rod-Larsen, $10 million in a will drawn up shortly earlier than his loss of life by suicide in a New York jail in 2019.
International Minister Espen Barth Eide mentioned Ms. Juul’s determination was “appropriate and essential.” Her contact with the convicted intercourse offender confirmed a “critical lapse in judgment,” he mentioned, including that “the case makes it tough to revive the belief that the function requires.” A Ministry investigation into Ms. Juul’s information of and call with Epstein will proceed, and Ms. Juul will proceed discussions with the Ministry “in order that the matter will be clarified,” Mr. Eide mentioned.
The Ministry mentioned it additionally launched a overview of its funding of and call with the Worldwide Peace Institute, a New York-based suppose tank, throughout the interval when Mr. Rod-Larsen headed it. Mr. Eide mentioned Mr. Rod-Larsen additionally had proven poor judgment relating to Epstein.
Mr. Rod-Larsen and Ms. Juul have been amongst those that facilitated the landmark Oslo Accords geared toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian battle within the Nineties.
Ms. Juul acknowledged in an announcement to Norwegian information company NTB final week that it had been “imprecise” to explain her contact with Epstein as minimal, however mentioned that the contact originated in her husband’s relationship with Epstein and he or she had no impartial social or skilled relationship with him.
She wrote that her contact with Epstein had been sporadic and personal, not a part of her official duties, however acknowledged that she ought to have been way more cautious.
The most recent batch of Epstein information has solid an unflattering highlight on a number of distinguished Norwegian figures. Crown Princess Mette-Marit on Friday (February 6, 2026) issued an apology “to all of you whom I’ve disenchanted” after paperwork supplied extra particulars of her relationship with Epstein.
The nation’s financial crimes unit has opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland — who additionally as soon as headed the committee that arms out the Nobel Peace Prize — over his ties with Epstein. His lawyer mentioned Jagland would cooperate.
| Video Credit score:
The Hindu
Revealed – February 09, 2026 06:34 pm IST