Norway parliament opens hearings on politicians' ties to Jeffrey Epstein

September 30, 2026 at 06:20 PM2 min

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Norway's parliament has opened public hearings into contacts between Norwegian diplomats, politicians and the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The constitutional affairs committee has summoned 11 current and former foreign and development ministers, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The scandal has already forced former foreign minister Børge Brende to resign as president of the World Economic Forum.

Key Facts

The constitutional affairs committee has summoned 11 current and former foreign and development ministers, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Former foreign minister Børge Brende resigned as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum after his friendly ties with Epstein were revealed.
An external commission of academics and lawyers will examine issues raised by the documents and is expected to present its findings in early 2028.
Queen Mette-Marit, wife of King Haakon, apologized for her friendship with Epstein but has not been called to testify.
Former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, former minister Terje Rød-Larsen and former diplomat Mona Juul are under police investigation on corruption charges related to Epstein ties; all three deny the allegations.

Parliamentary Hearings

The hearings are led by Jonas Andersen Sayed, head of the constitutional affairs committee, who said the government must explain what it is doing to restore trust in the foreign service. Andersen Sayed told Reuters that many people who had friendly relations with Epstein showed very bad behavior and irresponsibility. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who served as foreign minister from 2005 to 2012, reiterated that he never had any contact with Epstein. Støre said the problems stemmed from shortcomings of certain individuals, not a systemic failure in the foreign ministry, and that Epstein had no influence on Norwegian foreign policy or development aid decisions.

Fallout and Investigations

Børge Brende, who must testify, said he was unaware of Epstein's past and criminal activity until their first meeting in 2018. Several other prominent Norwegians with Epstein ties are under police investigation for corruption, including former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, former minister Terje Rød-Larsen and former diplomat Mona Juul. All three have denied the allegations. Queen Mette-Marit apologized for her friendship with Epstein but has not been called to the hearings.

External Review Commission

Parliament has established an external commission of academics and lawyers to examine issues raised by the documents and to increase transparency and integrity among Norwegian officials. The commission, covering more than 30 years of Norwegian diplomacy, is expected to present its findings in early 2028.