The Norwegian parliament has opened public hearings into contacts between Jeffrey Epstein and Norwegian politicians and diplomats. At the same time, an independent investigative commission has been established to examine the broader circumstances of the case, including up to three decades of Norway’s diplomatic activity.
Ministers Testify Before Parliament
The parliamentary Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs has summoned 11 current and former foreign and development ministers to testify.
Among those questioned was Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who served as foreign minister from 2005 to 2012. Støre reiterated before the committee that he never had any contact with Epstein and, to his knowledge, Epstein did not influence Norway’s foreign or development policy.
Alongside determining the extent of personal contacts, the committee seeks to find out whether there were shortcomings in Norway’s diplomatic system regarding conflict-of-interest controls and the management of public funds.
Former Minister Admits Contacts
Former Foreign Minister Børge Brende also testified before the committee, stating that he met Epstein only after leaving his ministerial position.
According to Brende, their contact included three dinners and subsequent communication through emails and text messages. He said he would not have engaged with Epstein had he been aware of the full extent of Epstein’s abuse at the time.
Brende also apologized for initially denying the meeting with Epstein in 2025. He later stepped down as head of the World Economic Forum after details of his relationship with the American financier came to light.
Police Investigate Other High-Profile Norwegians
The parliamentary hearings do not cover all Norwegians whose names have surfaced in connection to Epstein.
Norwegian police are, for example, investigating former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, former Minister Terje Rød-Larsen, and former diplomat Mona Juul on suspicions related to corruption. According to available information, all three deny any illegal conduct.
Police stress that investigation or suspicion alone does not constitute proof of guilt.
Rød-Larsen has already publicly apologized for his contacts with Epstein. According to Reuters, he also received a personal loan from Epstein, among other things.
Commission to Review 30 Years of Diplomacy
In addition to the parliamentary and police probes, the case has another significant aspect.
The Norwegian parliament has appointed an external panel of experts to address the questions raised by the release of Epstein-related documents. Its mandate goes beyond investigating individual contacts, extending to a review of Norwegian diplomatic practices over approximately 30 years.
The commission’s goal is to provide a factual basis for understanding the case and to propose measures that could strengthen the integrity and transparency of Norwegian authorities.
The commission is expected to deliver its findings in early 2028.
Støre Rejects Claims of Systemic Failure
During his hearing, Prime Minister Støre rejected the notion that the case points to a generally unhealthy culture within Norway’s diplomatic service.
He argued that the issues at hand involve individuals, not systemic problems in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Støre acknowledged, however, the need to update rules on conflicts of interest and emphasized that no system can entirely rule out abuses of trust.
Whether these are isolated failures or signs of deeper structural shortcomings will be a key question for further investigation.
Case Sparked by New Epstein Documents
The Norwegian investigation took on new dimensions after the US Department of Justice in January 2026 released a substantial set of documents related to Epstein.
The materials revealed new information about Epstein’s contacts with politicians, diplomats, royalty, and other influential figures. Norway subsequently launched both parliamentary and police inquiries.
The parliamentary hearings themselves are not designed to result in criminal sanctions. Their purpose is to clarify circumstances and potentially draw political or systemic conclusions.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
