09.02.2026 12:22
The documents published regarding billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while being tried for allegedly running a prostitution ring involving underage girls in the U.S., have sparked discussions in Europe, particularly in England and Norway.
The documents published regarding billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while being tried for allegedly running a prostitution network for underage girls in the U.S., have sparked discussions in Europe, particularly in England and Norway.
The Epstein documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in September 2025 and at the end of January include the names of numerous Western politicians, diplomats, and prominent figures. The political life in England and Norway is going through turbulent times due to the high-profile names mentioned in the documents.
MANDELSON SCANDAL: FALL FROM AMBASSADORSHIP
The documents released in September led to the ousting of Peter Mandelson, the British Ambassador to Washington. Correspondence was shared in which Mandelson, who was appointed just 7 months prior, referred to Epstein as "My best friend." In a birthday message Mandelson sent to Epstein, it was noted that he wrote, "You would wait for hours for him to come. Most of the time, when you got used to having him around, you would suddenly find yourself alone again. Instead, you would be left alone with some interesting friends you had to entertain."
STARMER'S BACKTRACKING AND APOLOGY
Following these statements, Mandelson was removed from his position, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed him, said, "Now that I know what I know, I wouldn't have appointed him." However, it later emerged that Starmer was aware of some facts regarding Mandelson. The documents released at the end of January revealed that Mandelson received $75,000 from Epstein and transferred some information kept secret by the government regarding market sensitivity related to the 2008 crisis during his tenure as Trade Minister from 2008 to 2010, along with inappropriate images involving some underage girls.
LEFT THE HOUSE OF LORDS, POLICE INTERVENES
These documents led to the 72-year-old politician known as "Lord Mandelson" resigning from the Labour Party and the House of Lords, and prompted a police investigation against him. Both the Cabinet Office and Gordon Brown, who served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, submitted the documents they had on Mandelson to the police.
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER APOLOGIZED, CALLS FOR RESIGNATION INCREASED
The Epstein-Mandelson relationship put Starmer on a path where his resignation was loudly demanded. Initially claiming, "I didn't know then what I know now," Starmer argued that these facts were unknown at the time of Mandelson's ambassadorial appointment, but later changed his statement. Starmer noted that he was aware that Mandelson continued to meet with Epstein after being convicted in 2008 for encouraging the prostitution of a minor, but claimed he did not know the depth of this relationship. Starmer stated that Mandelson consistently responded with lies to questions regarding this relationship, and he had to apologize for believing the lies and appointing Mandelson as ambassador.
CHAIN OF RESIGNATIONS IN THE PRIME MINISTRY
As the voices calling for Starmer's resignation continued to rise within the party and the opposition, Prime Minister's Chief Secretary Morgan McSweeney resigned yesterday. When asked about his opinion on Mandelson, McSweeney stated that he recommended him as the Ambassador to Washington, saying, "I take responsibility for this recommendation." It was also claimed that David Lammy, who was the Foreign Secretary at the time of the appointment, opposed this appointment but could not convince Prime Minister Starmer.
ROYAL FAMILY ALSO SHAKEN
The Epstein documents shook not only the political institution in the country but also the centuries-old Royal institution. Andrew, the brother of King Charles, who lost his title of "Duke of York" due to his relationship with Epstein and his statements regarding underage girls, lost all titles and properties he held as a member of the Royal Family following the documents published in September and January.
FROM PRINCE TO COMMON CITIZEN
First stripped of his "Prince" title, Andrew became a common citizen named Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor by taking his parents' dynasty names as his surname. The standard he held as a Prince was also taken down from Windsor Castle where it was hung. Mountbatten-Windsor, who has never accepted the allegations against him, lost his home following the latest published documents.
FROM PALACE TO FARMHOUSE
Evicted from the Royal Lodge mansion located within Windsor Castle, the residence of the Royal Family, Mountbatten-Windsor moved to Sandringham Palace, which is King Charles's personal property. Now all expenses will be covered by his brother instead of the treasury, and Mountbatten-Windsor will move to a farmhouse located within the Sandringham estate, about 200 kilometers away from London, which is currently under renovation.
SARAH FERGUSON ALSO AFFECTED
Mountbatten-Windsor's ex-wife, former Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, lost her positions in foundations and associations. The latest published documents revealed that Ferguson continued to meet with Epstein after 2008 and even took her children, Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, to Epstein's house. While Ferguson was removed from many associations where she was considered an honorary president as a member of the Royal Family, the Sarah Foundation, which bears her name, also decided to close.
AFTERMATH IN NORWAY
The documents also mention other British figures such as Epstein's former girlfriend and convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as famous physicist Stephen Hawking. Among the Europeans mentioned in the documents are former French Culture Minister Jack Lang, former French Finance Minister and presidential candidate Bruno Le Maire, Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Danish King Frederik, and Swedish Princess Sofia.
HEIR PRINCESS STAYED AT EPSTEIN'S HOUSE
The documents containing emails from former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, as well as a prominent figure in the country like Norway's Crown Prince Haakon's wife, Princess Mette-Marit, sparked discussions in Norway similar to those in England. It was revealed that Princess Mette-Marit exchanged emails with Epstein and spoke in a friendly tone, even staying at Epstein's house for a few days in 2013.
PRINCESS'S APOLOGY STATEMENT
In her apology statement regarding the revelations, the Princess said, "The content of some conversations between Epstein and me does not reflect the person I want to be. I apologize for putting the Royal Family, especially the King and Queen, in this situation."
INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER PRIME MINISTER
Jagland, who served as Prime Minister from 1996-1997 and as Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 2009-2019, stated in an email sent to Epstein, "I was with extraordinarily beautiful girls in Tirana (Albania). I am going to Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. I will return on Thursday."
In another email, Jagland mentioned that he had seen photos of Epstein's island and expressed that he would be happy to visit, stating, "By the way, (my wife) Hanne and I discussed going somewhere in the Caribbean with our two sons to celebrate his 60th birthday (As you know, I can't just continue with young women)."
NOBEL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ALSO IN THE FILE
An investigation has been launched in Norway against Jagland, who also served as the chairman of the Nobel Committee that awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Barack Obama. Responding to the allegations, Jagland stated, "I regret having communicated with Epstein. If I had known what I know now, I would never have made contact."
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