Norway inquiry examines officials’ Epstein links and ministry grants

Norway’s Parliament has begun a public inquiry into alleged links between Jeffrey Epstein and 11 current and former senior officials, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The hearing is also examining reports that the Foreign Ministry allocated more than 130 million kroner (about $13.5 million) to the International Peace Institute between 1997 and 2018.

Støre, who was foreign minister from 2005 to 2012, denied wrongdoing and told the committee that, to his knowledge, Epstein had no influence over government decisions. He described the problems as isolated lapses and said they did not show an unhealthy culture across the Foreign Ministry.

The institute was led by former Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen from 2005 to 2020. The source material does not establish how the grants were used or that wrongdoing occurred.

Jonas Andersen Sayed, who chaired the parliamentary hearing, said the case raised questions about public trust, accountability and management of development aid funds. He said the facts should be established and any necessary reforms implemented.

Separately, former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland, Rød-Larsen and former diplomat Mona Juul are reportedly under police investigation on corruption accusations. Those investigations are distinct from Parliament’s inquiry, which has not reported findings of guilt.

Parliament has also established a broader independent inquiry, due to submit its final report by 31 January 2028.