FrP leader Sylvi Listhaug believes that Mona Juul’s resignation as ambassador is just the beginning of a much bigger story.
“All we need is for her to resign. But now it is absolutely crucial that we get a full floodlight on the entire foreign service,” says Listhaug to TV 2.
On Sunday evening, it was announced that Ambassador Mona Juul is stepping down from her role as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq.
Juul has been in the foreign service in various roles since the 1990s, when she worked on the Oslo agreement between Israel and the PLO. Later, she served as ambassador to Israel from 2001 to 2004, and then as deputy ambassador for the Norwegian delegation to the UN in New York.
Listhaug believes that it is high time for an open and independent investigation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and warns against isolating the case to what is known so far about the contact with the convicted American Jeffrey Epstein.
“It’s not enough to limit this to the Epstein documents. This could be the tip of the iceberg. Any ties, questions of impartiality and money transfers must be brought to light,” says Listhaug.
Juul resigned as ambassador after it became known that she had been in contact with Epstein even after he was convicted of sexual assault. Her husband, former top diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, has also had links to Epstein.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has stated that Juul’s contact with Epstein shows a “serious failure of judgement”, and described the case as deeply disturbing.
Listhaug believes that the case cannot be closed with one resignation.
“If the government thinks this can be cleared up by sacrificing one person, they are wrong. Trust in the foreign service is at stake,” she says.
Several commentators and legal experts have pointed out that the case may have repercussions, including related to money transfers, impartiality and possible criminal offences. Listhaug believes that the Storting must now ensure that all cards are put on the table.
“This is not just about one ambassador. It’s about the system,” she concludes.