Norway’s ambassador to Iraq and Jordan resigns over Epstein links

Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, Mona Juul, has resigned from her post following controversy linked to the case of convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Juul’s contacts with Epstein revealed a “serious lapse in judgement,” adding that her decision to step down was correct and appropriate.

The foreign minister said the issue made it difficult to restore the level of trust required for such a sensitive diplomatic position.

Juul and her husband, former senior Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, have come under increasing pressure after the release of new documents related to the Epstein case. Epstein was convicted of sexual crimes in the United States, according to media reports.

Media reports also said that the names of the couple’s two children appeared in Epstein’s will, which stated that each should receive five million US dollars. The will was signed shortly before Epstein died while in custody.

Speaking to Norwegian media last week, Juul said she had met Epstein at an event with a diplomatic context and stressed that her contact with him was extremely limited. She said she deeply regretted any contact she had with him.

 Her husband, Terje Rød-Larsen, said his past relationship with Epstein was also a “serious error of judgement”.

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