Norway’s Parliament is questioning 11 former and current officials about their ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the impact on diplomacy

Norway’s Parliament begins public hearings on Wednesday into the ties between Norwegian politicians and diplomats and Jeffrey Epstein, the American sex offender who died in 2019. The inquiry seeks to determine whether officials showed poor judgment and what measures are needed to restore confidence in the diplomatic service.

The Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs has summoned 11 former and current ministers of foreign affairs and development. Witnesses include Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, who was foreign minister from 2005 to 2012, as well as former ministers Boerge Brende and Erik Solheim. Stoere has denied any relationship with Epstein, while Brende said he regrets not having examined Epstein’s past more carefully before their meeting in 2018.

The investigations were launched after the U.S. Department of Justice published documents in January. They highlighted Epstein’s ties to politicians, members of royal families and wealthy businesspeople.

Meanwhile, police are investigating several Norwegian officials, including former prime ministers Thorbjoern Jagland and Terje Roed-Larsen, as well as former diplomat Mona Juul. All have denied committing criminal acts. An external commission will examine more than 30 years of diplomatic policy and is expected to present recommendations in early 2028.