Norway's ambassador to Jordan resigns over Jeffrey Epstein ties

2026-02-08 - 21:55

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated that Juul's early departure, after being temporarily relieved of duty last week, was "correct and necessary." He explained, "The case makes it difficult to restore the trust that the role requires." A deputy ambassador will now manage the embassy in Amman until a permanent successor is appointed. A formal review into conduct and consequences The ministry has initiated a formal investigation under the State Employees Act to determine the full extent of Juul's interactions with Epstein and whether they impacted her diplomatic responsibilities. Minister Eide emphasized the need to verify if her previous statements align with new information emerging about the contacts. This review could lead to further employment consequences for the veteran diplomat beyond her resignation from the ambassadorship. Broader scrutiny of institutional links The fallout extends beyond a single diplomat. The Foreign Ministry has simultaneously launched a separate review into its grants and contacts with the International Peace Institute (IPI) during the tenure of its former president, Terje Rod-Larsen. Eide cited "very extensive and very worrying" information about Rod-Larsen's own connections to Epstein. This indicates a widening effort to scrutinize how deeply Epstein's network may have intersected with Norwegian diplomatic and institutional circles. Diplomatic integrity in focus The case highlights the high ethical standards demanded of senior diplomats, whose roles rely on unimpeachable personal and professional conduct. For nations like Türkiye, which values stable and predictable bilateral relations, such incidents underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in international diplomacy. The swift action by Norway aims to contain the diplomatic reputational damage and reaffirm its commitment to principled foreign policy.