Former Prime Minister Charged With Corruption for Epstein Ties

European nations are moving toward holding its politicians accountable for revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Prosecutors said Thursday that Thorbjørn Jagland, a former prime minister of Norway, has been charged with "gross corruption" over his dealings with Epstein, the American financier and convicted sex offender who died in 2019 while awaiting a sex-trafficking trial. The case moved forward after the Council of Europe, which Jagland once led, agreed to lift the diplomatic immunity he held for actions taken during his 2009-19 term as secretary general, the BBC reports. Jagland denies any criminal wrongdoing and intends to cooperate, his lawyer said.

Norway's white-collar crime unit Økokrim says it searched three of Jagland's properties and plans to question him. The investigation centers on allegations that Epstein paid travel costs for Jagland and his family between 2011 and 2018, with emails released by the US Department of Justice suggesting planned visits to Epstein's homes in New York, Paris, and Palm Beach, as well as a family trip to his private Caribbean island that was later scrapped. Norwegian media have also reported that Jagland allegedly sought Epstein's help with a bank loan, though police have not said whether that is part of the corruption charge. The investigation was announced last week, per the AP. Also:

• Mona Juul, Norway's ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, resigned Sunday over revelations in newly released Epstein files.
• Crown Princess Mette-Marit has apologized but is taking heat from Norway's prime minister and the country at large for her relationship with Epstein.
• Miroslav Lajcák, Slovanian Prime Minister Robert Fico's national security adviser, resigned over communications with Epstein. They included text discussions of "gorgeous" girls, per the AP. The former foreign minister and president of the UN General Assembly, has denied any wrongdoing. He said that he considered Epstein a valuable contact who was accepted by the rich and powerful in the US.
• Morgan McSweeney resigned as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff over his role in the selection of Epstein-connected Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. The scandal has imperiled Starmer's position. Mandelson lost his job last fall. Also in Britain, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost his royal residence last week; King Charles already had stripped him of his princely title.